Governor Otu: Eno’s Defection to APC Historic, Unifying Moment for South-south

BasseyInyangin Calabar

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has described the defection of his AkwaIbom State counterpart, Pastor UmoEno, to All Progressives Congress (APC) as a historic and unifying moment for the South-south geopolitical zone, and a major boost for the ruling party. 

Speaking with journalists in Calabar, Otu said it was a “great day” for both Cross River State and the entire South-south.

Otu, who is currently Vice Chairman of South-south Governors’ Forum, recalled an APC South-south meeting hosted in Calabar last year, where he had advocated a shift in the region’s political landscape. 

He stated, “At the time, I was the only APC governor in the zone, and I felt like an orphan.

“We had not yet won Edo or Delta states, and AkwaIbom was not on board. But like I prophesied that day, something was going to happen – and it has.” 

He described Eno’s move to APC as “a welcome development” for the progressive political family, stating that Cross River and AkwaIbom, once a single state, should naturally move in the same direction for regional development and harmony. 

“With both of us now in alignment, alongside our APC sister states in the South-south, the region is better positioned to support the bold reforms and strategic direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Otu said. 

He praised Tinubu’s leadership, citing strides in fiscal responsibility, infrastructure development, and economic reform.

“Gone are the years of freeloading,” he declared, adding, “The indices show we are experiencing real growth, even amid global economic challenges.” 

Responding to questions on the remaining PDP governor in the region, Governor DouyeDiri of Bayelsa, Otu responded, “Governor Diri is my chairman in the South-south Governors’ Forum. I don’t think he would want to stand alone.

“Like I always say, ‘follow who know road.’ He is a fine gentleman, and I believe he will make the right choice.”

Otuemphasised APC’s inclusive culture.

He said, “In APC, once you receive your membership card and broom, you have full rights. There will be no rancour, just like it happened in Delta,” he assured.

“This will bring unity, not just in AkwaIbom APC, but across the region,” he stated. 

Otu said he believed the South-south was now more united than ever under the APC banner.

“We are all in the same boat now. We’re no longer speaking different political languages. APC is the way forward,” Otu said.