By Peter Omopo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on Thursday met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
During the visit, Governor Eno briefed the President on developments in Akwa Ibom State and the general state of affairs in the oil-rich South-South state.
The meeting comes months after Eno formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. The governor announced his defection on June 6, 2025, at the Government House in Uyo, following what he described as three months of wide consultations with critical stakeholders across the state.
At the time, Eno expressed appreciation to the PDP for its support throughout his tenure but stated that it was time to make what he called a progressive move in the interest of the state.
He said his decision to join the APC was influenced by his admiration for President Tinubu and the need for Akwa Ibom to align with the Federal Government to secure greater benefits for its people.
“We’re joining the APC today in the state interest and because of our critical admiration and respect for President Tinubu, and to provide the needed support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio,” the governor had said during his defection announcement.
Eno maintained that the move was not borne out of weakness but from a position of strength, adding that aligning the state with the centre would enhance development opportunities.
He also assured residents of Akwa Ibom that his administration would remain focused on delivering dividends of democracy, irrespective of party affiliation.
Details of Thursday’s closed-door meeting were not immediately disclosed, but it is believed to be part of ongoing engagements between the Presidency and state governments on governance and development matters.
