Leadnaija
In a dramatic political shake-up, 24 out of 26 members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing unresolved internal crises within the PDP’s National Working Committee.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during plenary by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, who confirmed the receipt of formal resignation letters from the defecting lawmakers.
Although the Speaker disclosed the mass resignation, he did not clarify whether he was part of the defectors. The political positions of the two remaining legislators also remain unclear.
One of the two non-defecting lawmakers is believed to be Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, who represents the Etinan State Constituency and is widely known for his close alignment with former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
As a result of the realignment, the Speaker announced the immediate removal of Sunday Johnny, member representing Onna Constituency, from his position as House Leader, effectively reducing the PDP to a minority in the chamber.
In his place, Chief Whip Effiong Johnson, who represents Mbo Constituency, has been named Acting Leader of the House pending the election of a substantive leader.
This mass defection marks one of the most significant political upheavals in Akwa Ibom’s legislative history, potentially reshaping the state’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
