Councillors express frustration over exclusion from Governor Eno’s defection plans
• Councillors with ALGON Chairman, Dr Uwemedimo Udo (m) shortly after their meeting on Wednesday, March 21, 2025
Councillors in Akwa Ibom State have voiced their concerns over what they describe as marginalisation and exclusion by the Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
They claim they have been left out of discussions regarding the governor’s impending defection to the APC, where critical decisions about allocations and roles are being made.
As preparations for Governor Eno’s expected switch to the APC intensify, it is alleged that he has engaged in discussions with members of the state legislature, the executive branch, local government chairmen, and other stakeholders, while neglecting to include the 368 councillors who represent various political wards in local council legislative assemblies.
Reports say some councillors gathered at Silver Spring Hotel and Suites in Uyo, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, for a meeting to connect with one another and to move a motion in support of Governor Eno’s bid for a second term when security personnel reportedly intervened, dispersing the meeting and labeling the councillors as cultists.
“Later that day, we were invited by the ALGON Chairman, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, who called for a meeting, urged us to remain calm, and assured us that the Governor would meet with us,” one councillor, who wished to remain anonymous, told our correspondent on Monday.
“They used security forces to break up our meeting because they want to prevent us from having a platform to voice our concerns. As of now, we have not heard anything, and the governor has yet to meet with us,” the councillor added.
The councillors expressed their disappointment at the possibility of having no option but to stay within the PDP, as they feel they are not a significant group of grassroots leaders to engage with. Political analysts suggest that this situation could harm the relationship between the council’s executive and legislative branches.
“After our meeting with the ALGON Chairman, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, we reached several resolutions, including a request for security votes, imprest, and other benefits to help us connect better with our ward members, as well as the need for legislative training programs.
“We are also appealing to His Excellency the Governor, who is a listening leader and our father, to guide and advise us on what to do regarding his imminent defection to the APC,” the councillors said.
