Defection To APC: Udobia, Iniobong Robson, other Govt officials In Esit Eket Remain Silent

Itoro Bassey

In what seems like a departure from the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno's directive urging his appointees to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside him, it has been observed that several officials in Esit Eket Local Government Area, including the PDP leader Engr. Ben Udobia, the Council Chairman, Hon. Uduak Ikott, Vice Chairman, and the Commissioner for Power, Mr. Iniobong Robson, have yet to formally resign their membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as instructed by the governor.

The absence of Engr Udobia, Hon. Ikott, and Iniobong Robson during a Stakeholders meeting where President Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno and Senate President were endorsed for a second term held at the APC secretariat in Ikpa, Esit Eket, last week, was clearly obvious, a gathering which included the Governor's Advisor on Women Projects, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, and former assemblyman, Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh amongst other APC stakeholders

It is alleged that some high-ranking government officials in Esit Eket are engaging in widespread intimidation of PDP members in the area to prevent them from defecting to the APC, as they are seen as not aligning politically or spiritually with Governor Eno's defection arrangements.

Despite Governor Umo Eno's recent defection from the PDP to the APC over three weeks ago, many government appointees in Akwa Ibom State, particularly those from Eket Senatorial District, have reportedly ignored his directive to resign from the PDP and join the APC.

This reporter observed that during a stakeholders' meeting at the APC secretariat in Ikpa, Esit Eket, last week, a large gathering of APC supporters, including the Governor's Advisor on Women Projects, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, and former assemblyman, Dr. Usoro Akpanusoh, came together to express their support for Governor Eno’s administration.

It has also been reported that over 90 per cent of appointees in Governor Umo Eno's administration, who publicly expressed their support for the governor during his defection announcement at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, have not yet submitted their resignation letters to the PDP as required.

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