A prominent APC chieftain in Akwa Ibom State, Chief Sunny Jackson Udoh has commended Governor Pastor Umo Eno for his peaceful defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking during the Democracy Day celebration on Thursday, Chief Udoh described the governor’s decision as a positive development that will bring more benefits to the state.

He said, “I’m happy with the decision, especially since it was done peacefully and every Akwa Ibom person was carried along,” Chief Udoh said. “Akwa Ibom will now be aligned with the center, and we expect the state to gain significantly from the federal government.”

Chief Udoh urged the people of Akwa Ibom to look forward to more attention from the federal government, which will likely translate to more projects.

He noted that although previous gubernatorial candidates from his federal constituency hadn’t won, despite their efforts, he was happy to support the current governor, a son of the soil, to complete his two-term tenure in office,.

He also recalled that Obong Akpan Isemin, who was the first civilian governor to win a governorship  election from  his area only spent a few months in office. Therefore, there’s a need for his people to support the present Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.

The governor’s humility is what endeared him to the people. He spent time consulting every personality in the party as well as trying to reconcile warring factions in the APC before he declared his defection. The one-time State House of Assembly member said the governor wants the APC in the state to be a cohesive bunch, without rancor and infighting. “This really impresses most of us in the party. He is truly a bridge builder.”

The governor’s defection has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising his decision as a strategic move to bring development to the state, while others view it as a selfish decision. Governor Eno cited his admiration for President Bola Tinubu’s leadership style and the need to link Akwa Ibom to the center as reasons for his defection. While some PDP chieftains have criticized the governor’s decision, the APC has welcomed him warmly, hailing his defection as a “bold step” that will bring rapid development to the state.