The Eket local government council secretary, Pastor John Odungide, on Wednesday July 2, 2025, at the residence of the Eket Urban Ward IV leader, Pastor Victor Edon, formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Odungide, accompanied by Eket supervisory councillor for works, Hon. Emmanuel Assam, also known as Imaco Plaza, commended the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno for being a man with passion, who is concerned about the development of Akwa Ibom State.
He urged his kinsmen in Eket Urban Ward IV, to support the government of Gov. Umo Eno, saying the state chief executive is about the development of Akwa Ibom State and touching lives of residents and indigenes of the state, irrespective of political affiliation.
His words, “I am here in fulfillment of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno’s directive. I’ve worked with the governor for the past 23 years. Where he goes is where I’ll go.
“I am here to ensure that the Arise Agenda of the governor reaches Eket Urban Ward IV and to contribute to the progress of APC in Eket and Akwa Ibom State.
“Pastor Umo Eno is committed to the development of the state. Two years in governance, he has done so much for the state.
“It is my hope that with his recent movement aimed at linking the state with the centre, the state is set to witness unprecedented growth and development”.
Odungide commended the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio for his collaboration with the governor, even before the movement of Pastor Umo Eno to APC, stating that the the partnership would bring more development to the state.
The APC chairman of the ward, Ette Dickson, commended Pastor John Odungide for adhering to Pastor Eno Umo’s directive, assuring him of integration and accommodation.
“APC at the federal, state and local government is running an open door administration. I assure you of full integration. You are an asset to the party”, he said.
Eket Acting Chapter Chairman of APC, Engr. Akwaukiriso Akanimo Akpan, lauded the Eket local government council secretary for joining the party and urged others who are yet to join the party in their wards to emulate Pastor John Odungide’s gesture.
“Let me use the occasion of the defection of the council secretary to call on others to join the party in total compliance with the governor’s directive.
“The Eket chapter of the party has assured Pastor Odungide of the party’s support. Eket chapter of APC is in full support of Gov. Umo Eno and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu second term ambitions. We are ready to work for their re-election”, he said.
The political leader of Eket Urban Ward IV and 2024 chairmanship candidate of APC in Eket during the local government election, Pastor Victor Edon, commended Pastor John Odungide for his decision to defect from PDP to APC, assuring him of the ward’s support for the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, describing the movement of the Akwa Ibom State governor to APC as divine.
He commended members of the party for their steadfastness over the years.
Other speakers, including Prince Kingsley Ndedu, Bishop Ette E. Ette, Engr. John Abakasanga, Mr. Jacob Akpe, Eket Senatorial District Woman Leader, Engr. Glory William, Eket APC Chapter Woman Leader, Lady Comfort Ebongho expressed gratitude for the bold step taken by the Eket local government council secretary, Pastor John Odungide and pledged to support Pastor Umo Eno and President Bola Tinubu in 2027 general election.
Highpoint of the defection ceremony was the submission of the resignation letter and membership card of Pastor Odungide’s former party- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Eket Urban Ward IV APC Chairman, Mr. Ette Dickson and presentation of APC insignia – the broom and membership card by the Eket APC Acting Chapter Chairman, Engr. Akanimo Akpan, supported by the ward chairman, ward leader- Pastor Victor Edon, elders and stakeholders of the ward to Pastor John Odungide.
The event was witnessed by Rt. Hon. Ime Assam, Ward IV Urban Personal Assistant to Governor Umo Eno and his Eket Urban Ward Ill counterpart, Hon. Imaobong Samuel Etukudo; Pastor John Odungide elder’s brother- Mr. Edidiong Odungide; Hon. Edoho Charles; Engr. John Abakasanga, Prince Kingsley Ndedu, Ward Secretary; Aniekan Christopher, Chapter Executive Officers-Chapter Secretary Jacob Akana; Chapter Person With Disabilities Ubong Etukudo; Chapter Publicity Secretary- Ani Michael; Chapter Woman Leader – Lady Comfort Ebongho; Asst. Chapter Woman Leader- Mrs. Samuel Peter; Eket Urban IV Elders’ Forum Secretary; Edoho Godwin; Mr. Jacob Akpe; Hon. Samuel Peter, Hon. Ubong John; Prince Odungide Sam; Lady Esther Udoyo; Evelyn Elijah; Eket Urban Ward IV Woman Leader- Topsy Nduenyi; Peter Udobong; Akanimo Moses and other stakeholders of Eket Urban Ward IV.
