Some members of the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party have said the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, and his Delta State counterpart, Sheriff Oborevwori, will pay for their defection in the 2027 elections.

The NEC members, including a former National Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Tauri, and a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Diran Odeyemi, expressed confidence that the people of Akwa Ibom and Delta states would hold Eno and Oborevwori accountable during the elections.

Speaking exclusively to Sunday PUNCH, the PDP leaders criticised Oborevwori and Eno’s recent defection to the APC, accusing them of switching parties for personal gain.

Oborevwori joined the APC on April 24, while Eno defected to the ruling party on June 6.

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Responding to Eno’s defection, Tauri alleged that the APC-led Federal Government was employing every possible tactic to pressure PDP governors and leaders into joining their party.

He stated, “The governor is in his first tenure and wants to go for a second, so he defected. The APC-led Federal Government is using all tactics to woo or force elected officers into the APC. There are threats, inducements, intimidation, false political promises, and many other tactics.

“Most of the defectors who are in their first tenures are given assurances of automatic tickets and automatic rigging of results during the 2027 elections.. 

The governor of Akwa Ibom cannot be an exception.

“So, for me, I see him as one who is ready to sacrifice anything, including the platform that gave him the opportunity. But one thing is certain: Akwa Ibom and Delta are not like any other state in Nigeria when it comes to the PDP. I assure you that time and the good people of the states will teach the defectors a very bitter political lesson in 2027.”

Similarly, Odeyemi condemned Eno’s defection, describing it as shameful and stating that it further exposes the lack of principles among Nigerian politicians.

The former Deputy Publicity Secretary of the PDP noted that the refusal of some appointees and others to follow the governor in defecting was a clear sign that the governors would face serious political consequences in 2027.

He stated, “I think the defection has revealed to Nigerians the kind of person he is. Even in his own state, he doesn’t appear to be in control. With the number of members of the House of Assembly refusing to follow him, and the commissioners who have tendered their resignations because of his defection, it shows that the PDP remains solid in Akwa Ibom, and even in Delta State. So, bitter lessons await them in 2027.

“I want to believe that his greatest issue is the fear of the almighty federal might regarding his re-election. And it shows the kind of man he is. So it was more or less a personal decision — and perhaps he is just following the trend that others are going with.”

Odeyemi stated that many politicians, including Eno, defect because they lack genuine popularity among their constituents.