Three commissioners have resigned from the cabinet of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, soon after he officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This move marked a major political change in Akwa Ibom, a state that has been led by the PDP since 1999.
Governor Eno had made it clear earlier that members of his State Executive Council who did not want to follow him into the APC should step down from their positions.
About two weeks before the defection, he told his appointees during a meeting that if they were not ready to join the APC, they should prepare to resign, since their loyalty was expected to be with him.
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Following this directive, Ini Ememobong, who managed Special Duties and the Ibom Deep Seaport, Eno Ibanga, who was in charge of Works and Fire Service, and Emem Bob, the Commissioner for Finance, all resigned.
Ini Ememobong explained that his decision to leave was based on his belief in staying true to his political principles and his opposition to the APC, which he said many Nigerians across different sectors have also questioned.
Despite resigning, Ememobong stated that his personal relationship with Governor Eno remained respectful.
He acknowledged the confidence the governor had placed in him by assigning him important ministries and said he would continue to respect the governor even outside the executive council.
