Nigeria, April 23 -- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State has dismissed as a "mere rumour" the speculations that the Governor of the state, Umo Eno, is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At least three senior officials of the Akwa Ibom government have told PREMIUM TIMES that the plan for Mr Eno's defection is real. "It's something that bothers us because we don't even know how we can go about this (the planned defection)," one official said, on condition of anonymity.

Mr Eno's recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio for re-election in 2027 has heightened speculation that it is just a matter of time before he dumps the PDP.

Messrs Tinubu and Akpabio are m...