03 July, 2025
Political tides have shifted in Akwa Ibom State as six lawmakers elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the House of Representatives have dumped their parties for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers—Unyime Idem (Ukanafun/Oruk Anam), Esin Etim (Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue), Ekpo Asuquo (Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium), Uduak Odudoh (Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo), Okpolupm Etteh (Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno/Onna), and Okon Bassey (Itu/Ibiono Ibom)—announced their defection on the floor of the green chamber during Thursday’s plenary.
Also joining them in the move was Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo of the YPP, who represents Ikono/Ini federal constituency. The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read their letters of defection during the session.
The defectors cited internal leadership crises within the PDP as the main reason for their decision. “Our move is informed by the unresolved leadership conflict that has continued to destabilise our party and hinder effective representation,” one of the defectors stated in his letter.
Their decision comes on the heels of a similar move by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, who earlier switched allegiance from the PDP to the APC in June.
However, the mass defection sparked resistance within the chamber. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader of the House, raised strong objections, describing the action as unconstitutional. “This undermines the very essence of our democracy. The Supreme Court has been clear on what constitutes a valid division in a political party, and that threshold has not been met in this case,” Chinda said.
The latest defections leave Mark Esset, representing Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Asutan/Ibesikpo, as the lone PDP lawmaker from Akwa Ibom State in the federal legislature.
The development marks a significant political realignment in Akwa Ibom and signals growing momentum for the APC in a state once considered a PDP stronghold.
