In a striking political development with significant implications for the 2027 general elections, Abom Barrister Ephraim Okon, PhD, KSJI, Special Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Grassroots Mobilisation, has described Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “tsunami of defections” that is altering the South-South’s political DNA.
In an exclusive interview with Uko Callistus, Dr Okon offered insight into the recent court ruling that vindicated Senate President Godswill Akpabio, calling it a landmark affirmation of rule-based leadership in Nigeria.
The court, in clarifying Akpabio’s actions against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruled that the Senate President acted within the bounds of Senate Rules rather than personal vendetta.
Abom Okon stressed that this decision reinforces institutional order and serves as a cautionary precedent for those attempting to undermine parliamentary authority under the guise of satire or populist dissent.
“From our vantage point, where Akpabio’s political trajectory is closely observed, the ruling was a strong vindication,” Okon said, highlighting the ₦5 million fine imposed for contempt as a pivotal moment for accountability in the digital age. “This builds public confidence in legislative authority and helps us educate grassroots participants on responsible expression.”
Beyond the legal implications, Abom Okon emphasised the broader message of discipline and structure. “Whether it’s in the Senate or at a ward meeting, rules matter,” he said, adding that Akpabio’s insistence on legislative protocol signals a deeper respect for institutional order—an ethos that should cascade from the top levels of government down to community engagement.
Turning to the evolving political terrain ahead of 2027, Abom Okon acknowledged that the APC must take seriously the growing strength of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), now consolidated as the ADC. Led by a coalition of influential figures including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, David Mark, and Rotimi Amaechi, the alliance presents a formidable challenge to the APC’s hold on power.
“Opposition votes were fragmented in 2023,” Abom Okon observed. “A united ADC could consolidate those votes and tap into widespread dissatisfaction. That’s a major threat to APC dominance—unless the party responds with real solutions to economic hardship and insecurity.”
He called for swift action from the APC, outlining a strategy focused on visible governance, genuine integration of defectors like Governor Umo Eno, and direct grassroots engagement. “Leaders must go beyond media statements and interact face-to-face with communities, chiefs, youth, and women’s groups,” he urged.
On the significance of Umo Eno’s move to the APC, alongside other high-profile defections in the region, Abom Okon was unequivocal. “This isn’t just another defection—it’s what I call a ‘tsunami of defections.’ Governor Umo Eno’s move, alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, is changing the region’s political DNA.”
Historically considered a PDP stronghold, the South-South region is now witnessing a major realignment. With Cross River, Edo, Delta, and Akwa Ibom moving under APC influence, the balance of power is shifting. Abom Okon noted that the narrative of “aligning with the centre for development” is gaining traction at the grassroots level, triggering a cascade of defections and repositioning the APC as the dominant force in the region.
“Our task now is to manage this transition responsibly—embrace new members, calm anxieties, and ensure everyone sees the long-term developmental gain,” he concluded. “If well managed, this could cement the APC’s dominance in the South-South for the foreseeable future.”
As the nation inches closer to another pivotal election cycle, the role of grassroots mobilisation and regional realignment continues to underscore the enduring truth of Nigerian politics: that real power begins at the base.
