A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and former House of Representatives member in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Michael Enyong, has stated that Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, will not affect PDP’s chances in the 2027 elections.
He noted that PDP’s structure in the state remains intact stressing that the people who make PDP win elections are still in the party, and will sustain the winning streak in future elections
Speaking in an interview with journalists in Uyo on Monday, Enyong, popularly known as ‘Babantan’, called on the PDP national body to challenge Eno’s defection in court and declare his seat vacant.
He said, “I am Dr. Michael Enyong, with ‘Babantan’ as nickname, and I’m speaking from the place of authority as a man who had been contesting elections and winning. In 2015, I contested and won election on the platform of the PDP to represent the good people of Uyo/Nsit Atai/Uruan/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, during the 8th National Assembly.
“In 2019, I also contested and won again on the platform of the PDP to represent the same good people of that federal constituency during the 9th National Assembly where I was the Chairman of the Committee on Solid Minerals Development.
“In 2023, I also contested the governorship election in Akwa Ibom State and I was declared as the authentic Governorship Candidate of the PDP by the Federal High Court and by the INEC, before the Supreme Court ruling which restored Umo Eno as candidate.
“I’m telling you, without mincing words, that PDP is still intact in Akwa Ibom State despite Umo Eno’s defection.”
Michael Enyong, widely known and regarded as the ‘Lion of Akwa Ibom Politics’, assured that “PDP is in the consciousness of the Akwa Ibom people and would always win elections any day.”
“I’ll like to stress that the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State is still intact and very strong despite the defection of Governor Umo Eno to APC.
“We’re ready to reorganize our party, the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, and prepare to win massively in future elections.
“I can assure you that PDP is still a religion in Akwa Ibom. Major stakeholders in the state politics are still with the PDP. We’re not worried at all by the defection of Umo Eno to APC. Come 2027, PDP will file candidates for the general elections and our candidates will win massively,” he stressed.
He faulted the governor’s hurried defection just after two years from a party he rode on to victory in 2023, describing the act as “playing double standard”.
The former lawmaker also called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP to stop the governor’s continued meddlesomeness and interference in the activities and programmes of his former party, following his statement that he would continue to control the PDP structure.
“I want to also mention here that it is really an issue of playing double standard because he made a comment that while he defects to APC, he would also hold on to PDP structure so that no one can use the platform of the PDP to fight him; such statement is clearly double standard and unacceptable, ” Enyong said.
He argued that defection from one political party to another carries some legal implications.
“Section 221 of the Constitution states clearly that a political party shall sponsor a candidate in an election, adding that it is illegal for Umo Eno to defect to APC after riding on the platform of the PDP to clinch victory at the polls.”
“Governor Eno has not provided sensible reason for leaving the PDP”, he added, and urged the national leadership of the party to declare the governor’s position vacant as well as challenge his defection in court.
