Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has ordered the eviction of Channels Television’s correspondent and cameraman from the Government House following the circulation of a controversial defection video.

The video, which surfaced on Friday and was allegedly circulated by Channels TV, shows the governor addressing his commissioners and political appointees, urging them to either defect with him to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or resign.

In the now-viral clip, Governor Eno says:

“It’s no longer news that I am moving party. If you don’t know, I don’t know what else you know. I am told that some of you are saying you will not come—you are free, absolutely free not to join me, but you won’t be in my state cabinet.”

“So be prepared to resign the day I announce I am moving because you are an appointee and your loyalty is to me… It’s not a threat, it’s what it is. I won’t beg you to come.”

Although Channels TV’s correspondent, Chris Moffat, could not be reached for comment, a Government House source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the eviction and attributed it to the leaked footage.

“It is true, what you heard is true. That is the situation here in the Government House,” the source said. “It is not unconnected with the trending video that surfaced on Friday.”

The development has stirred tension in the political landscape of Akwa Ibom, as the governor’s expected move to the APC becomes more apparent.