President Bola Tinubu’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has scored another major political win, with 12 more federal lawmakers and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno poised to defect from opposition parties—deepening the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and bolstering APC’s dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest wave includes 10 lawmakers from Akwa Ibom, one from Edo, and another from Nasarawa, all of whom are finalising plans to formally cross over to the APC. The move follows Governor Eno’s dramatic departure from the PDP last Friday—a development analysts are calling a clean sweep for the APC in the strategic South-South region.
Eno’s defection marks the second high-profile loss for the PDP in the oil-rich region within three months, after Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori jumped ship in April. Together, they represent a growing pattern of opposition leaders aligning with the centre, as Tinubu continues to exert influence across party lines.
Leading the group of defecting lawmakers are Akwa Ibom Senators Ekong Sampson (South) and Aniekan Bassey (North-East), alongside House of Representatives members Okpolupm Etteh, Paul Asuquo, Alphonsus Uduak, Ime Bassey, Martins Esin, Unyime Idem, and Mark Esset. Emmanuel Ukpongudo of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) is also expected to make the leap.
From outside Akwa Ibom, Senators Neda Imasuen (Edo) and Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa) are reportedly finalising their plans to dump their current affiliations for the APC, although formal announcements are pending.
While most lawmakers have kept quiet in public, sources say their defections are all but sealed. Official declarations are expected soon on the floors of the National Assembly, fulfilling legislative requirements.
Confirming the developments, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, hailed the party’s new foothold in Akwa Ibom, revealing that the entire state legislature is on the verge of defecting en masse.
“With Governor Eno on board, it’s a clean sweep in Akwa Ibom,” Arodiogbu said. “We’ve secured commitments from almost all the lawmakers. Formal declarations are a matter of procedure. And we’re actively engaging the few remaining holdouts.”
He added that the APC is already in high-level talks with at least four other PDP governors as part of a broader power-consolidation plan.
“We are in discussions with governors in Adamawa, Plateau, Osun, and Bayelsa. The momentum is clearly with us,” he stated.
While critics accuse the APC of orchestrating a slow-motion slide toward one-party dominance, the ruling party insists the defections are driven by President Tinubu’s performance and popularity.
“No one is forcing anyone,” Arodiogbu argued. “The Tinubu administration has delivered clear results. People are moving towards progress.”
The APC’s official X (formerly Twitter) account amplified the moment by posting a video of Tinubu watching Governor Eno’s defection ceremony on TVC News—a subtle but powerful endorsement from the presidency.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, led the APC delegation that received Eno in Uyo. Speaking at the event, Eno justified his switch as a move to harmonise state and federal efforts for development.
“I am here today after months of consultations,” he said. “Our government has always been inclusive, and that will not change. Aligning with the centre is about ensuring better cooperation for the benefit of Akwa Ibom.”
The governor said he had duly informed PDP officials at all levels and formally resigned before joining the APC.
With Akwa Ibom now under APC control, the ruling party governs 23 of Nigeria’s 36 states. The PDP is down to 10, while Labour Party, APGA, and NNPP each hold one state.
Analysts say the sweeping defections are part of President Tinubu’s long game to neutralise opposition and entrench APC dominance ahead of the next electoral cycle. Whether this growing political monopoly will provoke a counter-strategy from the PDP or further defections remains uncertain.
For now, however, the tide appears firmly in Tinubu’s favour.
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