President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, that he will have no regrets for defecting from the PDP to the APC.

The President also assured Eno that no one would question his place in the APC, nor would he be humiliated or abandoned.

The President gave his assurance through Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, today during a grand reception held at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, to formally receive Pastor Umo Eno into the APC.

On ground to welcome Eno into the APC were the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, and the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

No fewer than 24 governors of the ruling party, including those of Cross River, Imo, Kwara, Kogi, Jigawa, Delta, Edo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto, and Ondo, attended the grand reception of Governor Eno into the APC.

The President also promised to integrate Akwa Ibom State into the center of national politics and development.

He said: “Mr. President asked me to assure you personally, no one will question your place here. The party is your home. You will not be humiliated. You will not be forsaken. We are your brothers and sisters in the high tide. We are here today because we understand the fundamental truth that for any political party, the most enduring power does not come from division; it comes from unity of purpose. We’ll ride together, and we’ll rise together, and we’ll protect those who put us through fire and plot. That is why, ten years on, despite all odds, we remain the party to beat.”

Akpabio congratulated Eno for joining the APC, saying that the development was a clear signal that the remaining states of the South-South would soon join the ruling party.

He maintained that Tinubu was a sincere and compassionate leader who would deliver on the expectations of the Akwa Ibom people regarding the realization of the Ibom Deep Seaport and other key infrastructural projects.

Akpabio said, “What is happening is not just political movement, it is political maturity; not just a generational responsibility, but the language of statesmanship. And because you have been faithful with a little entrusted to you, your step is ordered by God.

“You have placed the unity and progress of Akwa Ibom State above party lines. You have chosen partnership over partisanship. So to the men and women of Akwa Ibom State who have followed you diligently in this defining moment—our leaders, our thinkers, our patrons—I say to you: welcome home to the progressive family.”

On his part, Ganduje said the movement of Governor Umo Eno into the party was a transition from national political isolation to political relevance.

Ganduje said the movement of South-South governors into the APC was a signal that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policies were inclusive and worth aligning with.