… receives certificate of return, names Sen. Eyakenyi running mate
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in 2027.
After the State APC governorship primary held at ward centres across the State on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Governor was declared winner with a total of 392,653 votes by the Chairman of the State APC Primary Elections Committee, Hon. Nwofe Alexander.
Hon. Nwofe, who was flanked by members of the committee, presented a certificate of return to the Governor at a victory party in Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, and acknowledged that the exercise was generally peaceful across the State.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Eno pledged continuous dedication to the service of the State, adding that the support by party faithful was an overwhelming vote of confidence in him and a call to do more.
He said the ARISE Agenda will be assessed for gaps, updated, and reloaded for greater service.
“You have nominated me to continue the expansion of our growth and development, which in three years has been nationally acknowledged.
“We will continue to work to make our staple foods available through investments in agriculture and agro-allied enterprises. From the oil palm tree crop revolution, soon to be launched, to the agricultural equipment leasing company recently launched, the farming seedlings initiative, among others, we will ensure our staple foods are available at prices our people can afford.
“We remain dedicated to the completion of all projects in the 31 local government areas, spanning healthcare and education, as well as our ARISE Compassionate Homes initiative,” he said.
Governor Eno enumerated some of the milestones of his administration, with specific mention of the ARISE Palm Resort, which he said, when commissioned, will bring the world to the State and stimulate economic growth.
The Governor noted that within three years, his administration has constructed or deployed the finishers’ anointing in completing 1,300km of roads and 40 bridges, built 31 primary healthcare centres, some of which have been commissioned while work is ongoing on others alongside model primary schools, and paid over N82 billion out of the N111 billion inherited from past administrations dating back to 2012.
He expressed hope of completing the payment before the end of his first term in 2027.
Governor Eno said the State remains an oasis of peace, while the investments in aviation and the recent inaugural international flight from the Victor Attah International Airport to Accra, Ghana, have positioned the State as the tourism hub of the region.
He said the State is rising to a golden age and, in the next five years, will move the needle even higher for the collective good.
The Governor announced that his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, will remain his running mate in the 2027 gubernatorial election.
The visibly elated flag-bearer of the party appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his fatherly role, especially since the Progressive Movement in June 2025, and for enabling states’ development by making funds available.
He appreciated the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, for the partnership, the State Chairman of the party, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, and members of the Primary Elections Committee led by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, his family, as well as party faithful, for their overwhelming support.
The Governor urged everyone to continue in the same spirit on Saturday, May 23, by voting to nominate President Tinubu for re-election in 2027.
He called on other political parties in the State and beyond to emulate the APC which, he said, has conducted free, fair, and transparent primaries worthy of emulation, and urged those who will emerge as candidates of other political parties to avoid campaigns of calumny but focus on issues so as not to heat up the polity.
In their separate remarks, the State Chairman of the APC, Obong Ntukekpo; National Assembly members led by Senator Ekong Sampson and Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem; Political Leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob; wife of the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Mrs. Ekperikpe Ekpo; State House of Assembly members led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong; ALGON led by its Chairman, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo; Nsit Ubium Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Alfred Charles; former Secretary to the State Government, Obong Umanah Okon Umanah; Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Senator Ita Enang; Obong Bassey Albert; and Director General of Campaign, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, commended the Governor for maintaining peace in the State and for the development strides across the State.
They noted that the overwhelming nomination of the Governor for a second term was based on his performance and the need to complete the lofty projects across the State.
