Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 gubernatorial election after securing a landslide victory in the party’s primary election held across the state on Thursday.
Governor Eno polled a total of 392,653 votes to defeat other contenders and was subsequently declared winner by the Chairman of the State APC Governorship Primary Elections Committee, Hon. Nwofe Alexander.
The governor was later presented with a Certificate of Return during a victory celebration held at Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, where the committee chairman described the exercise as peaceful and orderly across the state.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Eno thanked party members for the overwhelming support and pledged renewed commitment to the development of the state through the consolidation of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
He said his administration would continue to prioritise agriculture, healthcare, education, road infrastructure and social welfare programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.
“You have nominated me to continue the expansion of our growth and development, which in three years has received national recognition,” the governor stated.
He highlighted achievements of his administration to include the completion of over 1,300 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges, construction of 31 primary healthcare centres, establishment of model primary schools, and payment of over N82 billion from inherited debts totaling N111 billion.
Governor Eno also referenced ongoing investments in tourism and aviation, particularly the ARISE Palm Resort and the recent inaugural international flight from Victor Attah International Airport to Accra, Ghana, which he said would position Akwa Ibom as a major tourism and economic hub in the region.
The governor announced that Senator Akon Eyakenyi would remain his running mate for the 2027 election.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting states through improved funding and also thanked Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC State Chairman Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, members of the primary election committee, party stakeholders and supporters for their solidarity.
Governor Eno urged APC members to sustain the momentum by supporting President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and called on political actors across party lines to conduct issue-based campaigns devoid of bitterness and inflammatory rhetoric.
Several party leaders and stakeholders who spoke at the event commended the governor for maintaining peace and executing development projects across the state, noting that his overwhelming victory reflected public confidence in his leadership and the desire for continuity.
By Ndifreke Bassey
