In a major political shift within the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, two lawmakers—Hon. Sunday Johnny (Onna State Constituency) and Hon. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot (Etinan State Constituency)—have declined to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), opting to remain with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Their decision follows the mass defection of 24 lawmakers to the APC, triggered by the official defection of Governor Umo Eno from the PDP to the APC on June 6, 2025. The governor was formally received into the ruling party during a grand reception held on Saturday, June 21, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
As a result of the new APC majority in the House, Hon. Sunday Johnny has lost his position as Leader of the House. During plenary on Tuesday, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, named Chief Effiong Johnson as the Acting Majority Leader.
Both Hon. Johnny and Hon. Ekpo-Ufot are known loyalists of immediate past Governor Udom Emmanuel, who has not followed his successor into the APC.
With the PDP now relegated to minority status in the Assembly, the political landscape in Akwa Ibom State continues to shift dramatically.