Umo Eno ‘bars’ Channels TV crew from government house over defection report

The Akwa Ibom government has reportedly barred the Channels Television crew from the government house press centre in Uyo, the state capital.

The barring of Christopher Moffat and Kufre Ikpe — Channels TV’s reporter and cameraman, respectively — from the centre followed the broadcast of a video in which Umo Eno, the state governor, publicly confirmed plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at the state executive council meeting on Thursday, Eno cited the internal wrangling in the PDP as reason for his decision.

The governor also asked his commissioners and other political appointees to defect with him to the APC or resign their positions.

He said political appointees who want to remain in the PDP are free to do so — but not as members of his cabinet.

“It is no longer news that I’m leaving the party,” the governor had said.

“I am told that some of you are saying that you will not come. You are free, absolutely free, not to join me, but you won’t be in my state executive council.

“So, you better just be prepared to resign the day I announce that I’m moving because you are an appointee and your loyalty is fully to me.

“You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party (affairs). It is not possible; it’s not a threat; it is what it is. I won’t beg you to come; you should normally not even expect it.”

However, after the Thursday meeting, Ekerete Udoh, Eno’s spokesperson, reportedly warned members of the government house press corps, including the Channels TV crew, against airing the governor’s remarks.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, Udoh called the Channels TV correspondent that the governor has barred him and his cameraman from the press centre.

“The governor was so furious, he wanted to sack Ekerete and disband the entire press corps,” the newspaper quoted a source as saying.

Moffat is said to have been the Channels TV correspondent at the Akwa Ibom’s government house, Uyo, for over 10 years.