The train of defection berthed in Ika Local Government Area on  Saturday, 7th June 2025 as the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. (Obongemem) Ekperikpe Ekpo, Ph.D., led thousands of Ika people to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The movement, said to be in solidarity with the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, took place at Ika Unity Stadium, Urua Inyang.

At the event, the minister expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for identifying with President Bola Tinubu and the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

 Ekpo dismissed insinuations that the recent mass movement to the APC from other political parties was about winning the 2027 elections, saying it was rather a wise decision to connect the state to Abuja to attract more dividends of democracy.

“Pastor Umo Eno and Chief Godswill Akpabio can win elections, even if they contest 10 times. It’s about linking the state to the national level, so more development can be attracted,” said Ekpo.

The Gas Minister assured President Tinubu, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Eno that the electorate in Ika LGA would vote for them massively in 2027 and called on the member representing Abak Federal Constituency, Clement Jimbo, and former House of Assembly member for Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Gabriel Tobby, to move and second a motion, respectively, for the adoption of the trio.

The APC Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Obong Stephen Leo Ntukekpo, in a speech, assured the new members of the party that they would enjoy equal rights and privileges and urged them to discountenance any rumor of division in the APC, adding that the party was intact at all levels.

“From today, you are members of the APC, and you will not be treated differently from other members. In fact, you will enjoy full rights and privileges, like other members.”

 Obong Ntukekpo thanked the minister for joining hands with Governor Eno to ensure that peace prevailed in Akwa Ibom State.

High points of the event were the reaffirmation of Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo as the Political Leader of Ika, messages of solidarity, and the official presentation of the broom – symbol of the APC – to the Chairman of Ika LGA, Barr. Utibe Nwoko, and those who joined the party as a symbol of their acceptance and membership in the ruling party.

The event was attended by the political class within and outside Ika, including the NDDC Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom, Apostle Abasiandikan Nkono; Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hon. Inibehe Silas; Vice Chairman of Ika, Hon. Emaedu Otuekong; APC Chapter Chairman, Joseph John; Leader of Ika Legislative Council, Isonguyo Edueka; Barr. Uyobong Jimbo; Tony Udousung; Supervisors; PAs to the Governor; Traditional Rulers; Religious Leaders; women leaders; youth leaders; and others.