Dr. Ephraim Okon, who is the Special Assistant (SA) to the respected Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, on Grassroots Mobilisation. Okon noted that his boss’s switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered a major shift in the political landscape of the South-South, with only Bayelsa State preparing for the competition.
In a recent conversation with reporters in Uyo, the State capital, over the weekend, Okon described Governor Eno’s choice as a “tsunami of defections that has affected the future of the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the region.”
“This isn’t just another defection—it’s what I call a ‘tsunami of defections.’ The work of Governor Umo Eno, along with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, is changing the political landscape in the area.”
He also mentioned that the APC’s takeover of the oil-rich State, along with Delta and other States, is a “huge setback for the PDP in the South-South.”
The governor’s aide added that, “the defection is likely to start a domino effect, putting pressure on the other PDP states in the region, including Bayelsa and Rivers,” while also emphasizing that the APC’s growing power in the South-South could strengthen its position in the region for a long time.
He pointed out that thousands of PDP supporters are changing their loyalties, with many embracing the APC’s message of “aligning with the centre for development.”
“This mass movement is seen as an influential shift in the region’s political allegiance. The APC’s strong presence in the South-South could improve its chances in the upcoming 2027 elections.
Our main job right now is to carefully manage this transition responsibly, welcoming new members, solving any problems, and making sure everyone understands the long-term gain of developmental gain. If done right, this could really boost the APC’s reputation in the South-South for a long time to come.
Okon cautioned that the APC needs to seriously recognize the growing power of the Opposition Coalition’s All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which is led by a group of influential figures like Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, David Mark, and Rotimi Amaechi, among others.
