Inibehe Effiong, a lawyer and human rights activist, has rejected Governor Umo Eno’s assertion that his departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join Senate President Akpabio in the All Progressives Congress (APC) was aimed at promoting the establishment of the Ibom Deep Seaport.
Effiong contends that the governor’s true motivation for defecting was to align with Akpabio in a bid for power.
Speaking on a Channels TV morning show on Tuesday, Effiong stated, “These politicians think we are all naive. Which seaport is he referring to? Everyone in Akwa Ibom knows the real reason behind Umo Eno’s defection; it has nothing to do with the state’s interests.”
“He is defecting because the APC appears to be a rigging machine that guarantees victory by any means once you join. This has nothing to do with the Ibom Deep Seaport.
“Umo Eno did not defect because the federal government will build a seaport in Akwa Ibom; he is defecting to align with Akpabio in order to gain power. He stated, ‘I don’t have the power to fight like Wike.’ This is purely about his political interests.”
During his grand reception into the ruling party in Uyo last Saturday, Governor Eno expressed his confidence in joining the APC, emphasising that it is within the ruling party that he aims to advance the Ibom Deep Seaport project for the state.
“We are not afraid of joining the APC, as we believe that with their support, we can finally realise our vision for the Ibom Deep Seaport. For over 30 years, Akwa Ibom has faced challenges in establishing a seaport, but today we are encouraged by the federal government’s commitment to assist us in making this project a reality.”
The event was attended by several APC governors from states including Lagos, Edo, Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Gombe, Ekiti, Jigawa, Ondo, Kogi, and Delta.
Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Tinubu at the ceremony.
