Speaking during a State Executive Council meeting on Thursday, a video of which was shared by Channels TV on Friday, Governor Eno confirmed his intention to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and made it known that continued loyalty to him would require political alignment.
“It’s no more news that I’m moving party. If you don’t know that by now, I don’t know what else you know,” Eno said, warning that any appointee unwilling to follow him into the APC should prepare to step down once he makes the move official.
“You are free, absolutely free, not to join me. But you won’t be in my state executive council,” he stated firmly. “You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party. It’s not a threat — it is what it is.”
Governor Eno said he would not beg anyone to followhim, insisting that political unity within his government is essential as he prepares to switch parties.
Explaining his decision, Eno cited ongoing instability and internal conflicts within the PDP at the national level, expressing concern that the party’s disunity could jeopardize the legitimacy of future election victories.
“I love the PDP, I want to stay in the PDP, but clearly, I don’t have a road map to guarantee that I’ll be able to have a smooth sail in the elections,” he said.
He pointed to past cases where candidates lost elections on technical grounds, such as nomination forms being signed by unauthorized party officials, as evidence of the risks posed by the PDP’s internal dysfunction.
Despite his frustrations, Eno emphasized his confidence in his administration’s popularity and performance, asserting that they would win elections regardless of party affiliation. “In this state today, with the work that all of us have done, even if we contest on a zero party, we will win this election,” he declared.
