Nigeria, May 26 -- Barely 72 hours after blaming his imminent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the party's leadership crisis, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has added a fresh narrative - he is now blaming the Nigerian Constitution for not allowing him to seek reelection as an "independent candidate."

At an event in Government House, Uyo, on Thursday, Mr Eno confirmed his planned defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said his defection was no longer news and warned commissioners to prepare their resignation letters if they were unwilling to join him in the APC.

"We want our commissioners and members of Exco, appointees, and those of you who are saying that you would not come, you are a...