Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Friday, June 6, announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made the announcement during a formal ceremony held at the Government House in Uyo. The event attracted prominent APC figures from across the country.

Speaking at the event, Governor Eno said, “After completing the rounds of my consultation as your servant whom you have elected to serve, I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC.”

He emphasised that his defection was a strategic move: “We are not joining the APC from a position of weakness, but from a position of strength. We’re bringing value to Akwa Ibom State. We’ve come into the APC with a ministry of reconciliation.”

Over the years, several Governors have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while still in office.

Here are eight sitting Governors who defected from PDP to APC

1. Pastor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State)

Governor Eno’s defection marks a major political shift in Akwa Ibom State and could significantly alter the state’s political landscape ahead of future elections.

2. Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State)

Sheriff Oborevwori shocked many by dumping the PDP for the APC on Wednesday. His defection marks a significant political shift in Delta, a core PDP state since 1999.

3. Dave Umahi (Ebonyi State)

Umahi defected to APC in November 2020 during his second term as Governor. He cited marginalisation of the Southeast by the PDP and praised APC’s infrastructure focus under President Buhari.

4. Ben Ayade (Cross River State)

Governor Ayade left PDP for APC in May 2021. He said his decision was driven by a desire to align with the federal government to attract more development projects to Cross River State.

5. Bello Matawalle (Zamfara State)

Matawalle defected to APC in June 2021. His move followed political turbulence in Zamfara and was seen as a strategic alliance to maintain stability and control.

6. Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto State)

Tambuwal switched from PDP to APC ahead of the 2015 elections, returned to PDP in 2018 and was later linked with a fresh move back to APC while still in office, reflecting his dynamic political positioning.

7. Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto State)

Wamakko joined the APC in 2014 during his tenure as Governor. He was among the early defectors whose moves helped shape the APC’s victory in the 2015 general elections.

8. Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara State)

Ahmed, Governor from 2011 to 2019, defected to APC in 2014 with Bukola Saraki during the famous “political tsunami” in Kwara. Though he returned to PDP later, the defection during his tenure was pivotal. (The Nation)