“I Came Like John The Baptist” – Gov. Eno Defends Defection From PDP To APC

By Ayodele Oni

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has said that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2025 paved the way for other Governors.

While defending his decision to leave the PDP for the APC, Eno likened himself to John the Biblical Baptist, whom he described as a forerunner who moved ahead of others.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Friday, Eno said he defected before many of his colleagues, who have since followed the same path, insisting that his decision was deliberate and taken in the best interest of Akwa Ibom State.

“I came like John the Baptist,” the governor said, suggesting that he paved the way for others who later left the PDP for the APC.

Responding to criticism over his defection, Eno maintained that governance required pragmatism rather than sentiment, arguing that aligning with the ruling party at the federal level had brought greater opportunities for development.

“You can’t be hungry all the time. Why don’t you reject it? The man has done well. Funds are coming. Allocations are coming.

“And we’re able to have funds to get to work for our people. And so I had to. It was a decision well thought out,” he said, referring to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The governor also disclosed that the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State and a leading figure in the APC, influenced his decision.

According to Eno, remaining in a different political party from Akpabio could have created unnecessary political rivalry capable of affecting the state’s development, stressing that cooperation between the state and the Federal Government was in the interest of the people of Akwa Ibom.

Eno officially defected from the PDP to the APC in June 2025 after months of consultations with political stakeholders across the state, describing the move as one guided by conviction, constitutional rights, and the desire to attract greater benefits for Akwa Ibom people.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has said that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2025 paved the way for other governors.

While defended his decision to leave the PDP for the APC, Eno likened himself to John the Baptist, whom he described as a forerunner who moved ahead of others.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Friday, Eno said he defected before many of his colleagues, who have since followed the same path, insisting that his decision was deliberate and taken in the best interest of Akwa Ibom State.

“I came like John the Baptist,” the governor said, suggesting that he paved the way for others who later left the PDP for the APC.

Responding to criticism over his defection, Eno maintained that governance required pragmatism rather than sentiment, arguing that aligning with the ruling party at the federal level had brought greater opportunities for development.

“You can’t be hungry all the time. Why don’t you reject it? The man has done well. Funds are coming. Allocations are coming.

“And we’re able to have funds to get to work for our people. And so I had to. It was a decision well thought out,” he said, referring to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The governor also disclosed that the presence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State and a leading figure in the APC, influenced his decision.

According to Eno, remaining in a different political party from Akpabio could have created unnecessary political rivalry capable of affecting the state’s development, stressing that cooperation between the state and the Federal Government was in the interest of the people of Akwa Ibom.

Eno officially defected from the PDP to the APC in June 2025 after months of consultations with political stakeholders across the state, describing the move as one guided by conviction, constitutional rights, and the desire to attract greater benefits for Akwa Ibom people.