UYO, Nigeria — The Akwa Ibom State Government has barred a Channels Television reporter and cameraman from the Government House press centre in Uyo, following the broadcast of a video in which Governor Umo Eno confirmed plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Christopher Moffat, Channels TV’s reporter in the state, and his cameraman, Kufre Ikpe, were reportedly ordered out of the press centre on Friday, May 23, 2025.
The move comes amid heightened political tensions sparked by the governor’s declaration during a state executive council (EXCO) meeting on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
In the video aired by Channels Television, Governor Eno cited unresolved internal disputes within the PDP as the reason for his impending defection.
He made clear that commissioners and other political appointees unwilling to join him in the APC must resign.
“It is no longer news that I’m leaving the party,” the governor said in the widely circulated clip.
“You are free, absolutely free, not to join me, but you won’t be in my state executive council… You can’t be in my cabinet and play anti-party. It is not possible; it’s not a threat; it is what it is.”
According to reports, the governor’s spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh, later called the Channels TV correspondent and conveyed the decision to bar both him and his cameraman from the Government House.
The report further stated that Governor Eno was “furious” over the broadcast, and had considered dismissing his media aide and disbanding the entire press corps.
Sources within the Government House confirmed the tension, with one noting, “The governor was so furious, he wanted to sack Ekerete and disband the entire press corps.”
Moffat has reportedly served as Channels TV’s correspondent at the Akwa Ibom Government House for more than a decade.
