I CAN’T JOIN APC’ says Akwa Ibom commissioner, as have resigns

One of the Commissioners serving under Umo Eno, the executive governor of Akwa Ibom , Hon. Ini Ememobong says he will rather resign from the governor’s cabinet than join him in his new found love, the Al Progressives Congress (APC).

Ini was the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport without hesitation, resigned his post consequent on the Governor’s official defection to the ruling party.

Earlier today, Friday, June 6, 2025, Umo Eno, the governor of Akwa Ibom, ditched the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was the platform that brought him to power, to embrace the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made the switch official after nearly three months of signalling his intention to leave the PDP.

Last month, Eno told his commissioners and other appointees to defect with him when he finally decided to join the APC or resign from his cabinet.

“I am told that some of you say you will not come. You are free not to join me, but you won’t be in my state executive council,” Eno said.

Reacting to the change of party, his former cabinet member, Ini Ememobong restated his unalloyed solidarity to the opposition party, hence his resort to resign his position.

‘I CAN’T JOIN APC’

In a resignation letter dated June 6 and addressed to Eno, Ememobong said he cannot join the APC.

Ememobong referenced the governor’s directive requiring appointees who refuse to follow him to resign.

“The experience garnered within this period has been very enlightening and I profoundly value the privileged opportunity to have served in your administration,” the letter reads.

“You have directed that any appointee who is unwilling to accompany you to switch from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, should resign.

“Ipso facto, based on my personal conviction, I will be unable to join the All Progressives Congress. I hereby most respectfully tender my resignation as Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Sea Port and a member of the State Executive Council.”

In a post on Facebook, Ememobong attributed his resolve not to join the APC to his “principles and long-standing opposition” to the party.

He however, stressed his decision to dump the office did not affect his relationship with Eno, who addresses him as “brother”.