Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has barred Channels Television from covering activities at the Government House Press Centre in Uyo.
This followed the station’s broadcast of a video in which the governor openly discussed plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The footage, aired on Friday, reportedly embarrassed the governor. Sources revealed that his spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, summoned members of the press corps on Saturday and informed the Channels TV crew—correspondent Christopher Moffat and cameraman Kufre Ikpe—that they had been barred.
Governor Eno’s reaction came shortly after Channels TV Chairman, John Momoh, visited him during the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Week in Uyo.
The leaked video was recorded during a Thursday meeting initially meant to review government projects but which quickly became political. In the video, Governor Eno told members of the State Executive Council that those unwilling to follow him to the APC should be ready to resign. “You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party,” he said.
Governor Eno cited unresolved legal battles within the PDP, especially concerning the National Secretary position, as a major reason for his decision to leave the party. He also maintained he would not cede control of the PDP structure in Akwa Ibom, a position that reportedly puts him at odds with his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel.
The governor’s official defection to the APC is expected to happen in early June.