By: Uko Callistus
In a development reshaping the political contours of the South-South ahead of the 2027 general elections, Governor Umo Bassey Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been described as a “political tsunami” by Dr. Abom Ephraim Okon, PhD, KSJI, Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Grassroots Mobilisation.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Dr. Okon declared that Governor Eno’s move, alongside the realignment of other regional heavyweights, is transforming the South-South’s long-standing political DNA, historically dominated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“This isn’t just a defection—it’s a tsunami,” he said. “With Governor Umo Eno, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa now aligning with the APC, the political tide has turned. The region’s centre of gravity is shifting.”
Beyond the shifting alliances, Dr. Okon hailed the recent court ruling in favour of Senate President Godswill Akpabio as a “landmark judgment” that strengthens parliamentary integrity and democratic order.
The court, while ruling on Akpabio’s disciplinary action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, affirmed that the Senate President acted within the boundaries of legislative rules—not out of personal vendetta.
A ₦5 million fine for contempt was also issued in the case against Akpoti-Uduaghan, reinforcing the importance of institutional respect.
“The ruling is a powerful message: leadership must be rule-based, not emotional or reactionary,” Dr. Okon said. “Akpabio’s stance was never about personality. It was about protecting the sanctity of the Senate.” He added that this legal precedent should serve as a warning against attempts to trivialize the National Assembly through populist antics or media sensationalism, especially in the digital age where misinformation travels fast. “Whether at plenary or at a village council, rules matter. What Akpabio has done is remind us that leadership must flow from structure—not sentiment.”
Dr. Okon also warned the APC not to underestimate the emergence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a growing opposition force forged by a coalition of political heavyweights including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, David Mark, and Rotimi Amaechi.
“The fragmented opposition of 2023 may not repeat itself,” he noted. “A united ADC poses a serious challenge, especially if they tap into the growing public frustration over economic hardship and insecurity.”
“The APC must step out of media optics and go where the people are—meet the chiefs, the women, the youths. It’s time for human contact and genuine inclusion.”
Dr. Okon described the South-South region as being in the midst of a historic political transition. With Edo, Cross River, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States increasingly leaning toward the APC, a former PDP stronghold is fast becoming a new bastion for the ruling party. “What we are witnessing is not mere rhetoric. There is growing resonance among grassroots stakeholders that aligning with the centre accelerates development. That message is reshaping loyalties at the ward level.”
He stressed that while the APC gains momentum, the burden of unity and responsible leadership now lies with its national and regional leadership structures. “The job now is to manage these transitions with maturity—assure defectors of relevance, de-escalate friction, and communicate long-term value. If we succeed, APC will not just dominate the South-South—it will own the political narrative.”
As Nigeria marches toward 2027, Dr. Okon reiterated the importance of grassroots mobilisation as the bedrock of sustainable political transformation. “Our democracy begins at the base,” he concluded.
“The true test of leadership is how deeply it connects to ordinary citizens. And in that regard, the APC must not fail.”
With seismic shifts underway and alliances redrawn, the battle for 2027 in the South-South promises to be one of the most consequential in Nigeria’s political history.
