“You won’t regret joining APC,” Tinubu assures Gov Eno

• Vice President Kassim Shettima presenting the APC flag to Governor Eno, yesterday 

The All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, warmly welcomed Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno in Uyo, the state capital, as he officially joined the party.

Vice President Kassim Shettima, representing President Bola Tinubu, was present to greet Eno, along with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, 24 APC governors, and other prominent party leaders, including National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium was filled with hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic party supporters, who celebrated with drumming, singing, and dancing.

In a speech delivered by the Vice President, Tinubu assured Eno that he would not regret his decision to join the APC, emphasising that this move would facilitate the integration of Akwa Ibom State into the heart of national politics and development.

“We are here today because we understand the fundamental truth that for any political party, the most enduring power does not come from division, it comes from unity of purpose,” the President said.

“This friend we seek is not found in standing alone, or in fighting amongst ourselves, but in standing together. And that strength grows with every voice that joins this cause.

“That is how we move forward; not by clinging to what divides us, but by running around what leaves us.

“We are here because we believe in building bridges, not walls; in mending fences, not erecting new ones.

“And, above all, we are here because we know that the political party is more than a political party, it is its people. The people are the party.

“I’m telling you this, Your Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, because I want you to know that President Tinubu is a bridge-builder, a democrat.

“And so your decision to come home to the APC is one that you will never regret.

“Mr. President asked me to assure you personally, no one will question your place here. The party is your home. You will not be humiliated. You will not be forsaken. We are your brothers and sisters in the high tide.

“We rise with the low ebbs, we ride together, and we rise together, and we protect those who put us through fire and plot. That is why 10 years on, despite all odds, we remain the party to beat.”

Akpabio, a former governor of the state, extended his congratulations to Eno for joining the APC, calling it a strong indication that the other South-South states would soon follow suit and align with the ruling party.

He described Tinubu as a genuine and empathetic leader, confident that he would meet the aspirations of the people of Akwa Ibom, particularly in bringing the Ibom Deep Seaport and other vital infrastructure projects to fruition.

“What is happening is not just political movement; it is political maturity; not just a generational responsibility but the language of statesmanship. And because you have been faithful with a little entrusted to you, your step is ordered by God,” the Senate President said.

Continuing, he said: “You have placed the unity and progress of Akwa Ibom State above party lines. You have chosen partnership over partisanship.

“So, to the men and women of Akwa Ibom State who have followed you diligently in this defining moment, our leaders, our thinkers, our patrons, I say to you welcome home to the progressive family.

“We are not just here in numbers. You are not coming to add to the number of progressive members, you are going to add value to the progressive family.

“You are bringing capacity to bear because you are a performing governor.

“The entire state is with you, the house of assembly is with you, all the local government chairmen are here, all the stakeholders are here.

“Then, who are those that would have caused trouble? There is none. They are not here.

“So let us now move from mere handshake to hard work. From celebration here, we are going to move to collaboration.

“The path ahead may be steep, but the reward is certain so long as we work together, so long as we speak together, and so long as we move together.

“It was a little bit of a surprise when we (South-South) attempted to go different ways in 2023.

“Today, Governor Otu is no longer an orphan. Thank you for being here to welcome your brothers. And you will welcome more brothers.

“Governor Sheriff of Delta, thank you for joining the progressives’ family, and moving the South-South in the progressives’ direction.

“Governor Umo Eno, after you, who knows? Rivers State will tumble. After Rivers, Bayelsa will join.

“Of course, we have won the election in Edo State. We produced our amiable Senator Monday Okpebholo.

“Come 2027, South-South will go one way; the South-South will vote for President Bola Tinubu.

“I see the President getting 99.9 per cent votes in 2027.”

Also speaking, Dr Ganduje said the movement of Governor Eno to the APC was from national political isolation to political relevance.

Ganduje said the movement of South-South governors into the APC was a signal that President Tinubu’s policies were inclusive and worth aligning with.

Eno said he took a risk to dump the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join Senate President Akpabio in the APC with a view to getting the Ibom Deep Seaport established.

He said he was prepared to face the political storm ahead as long as the Deep Seaport got done, and reassured the people that he would remain a governor for all despite party affiliations.

His words: “Let me reassure all Akwa Ibomites that regardless of my political alignment, I will remain a governor for all Akwa Ibomites as we continue to implement progressively the Arise Agenda, which is our social contract with the Akwa Ibom people.

“Today, your Excellencies, we step out bold, fearless, brave, courageous and happy. For this is an uncommon but progressive move from a position of strength.

“For we are not afraid of the future or afraid of the storms ahead. As I’ve been taking a good decision, we have taken a risk by joining our son, the distinguished Senate President, to work with him and to deliver our President in 2027.”

Eno announced his defection to the APC on June 6.

He said he was doing so with members of his cabinet, all local government chairmen and councilors.

His defection came on the heels of that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other top members of PDP in the state, including the party’s immediate past governor and presidential running mate in the 2023 election, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.