By | Destiny Young
APC: Test your popularity in direct primaries, there won’t be imposition, Umo Eno tells aspirants
“Test your popularity in direct primaries, there won’t be imposition.” That statement by His Excellency, Gov.Umo Eno is clear and deliberate. It represents a shift in how political legitimacy is to be earned within the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State. It places the burden where it belongs, on the aspirants and their connection with the people.
If I understand my Boss correctly, this is not a conventional political statement. It reflects a practical reading of the fluidity of Akwa Ibom’s political environment and the dynamics of time. The state’s electorate has evolved. Voters now respond more to credibility, visibility, and grassroots acceptance than to elite arrangements. Any attempt to bypass that reality often creates internal resistance that weakens the party before the general election.
The history of the APC in Akwa Ibom supports this position. In past election cycles, imposition of candidates has led to fractures within the party. Aggrieved aspirants disengaged. Parallel loyalties emerged. Campaign structures became divided. The outcome was predictable. The party entered elections already compromised.
Direct primaries change that equation. They force every aspirant to build real structures. They compel engagement at ward level. They test organisational strength, not just influence. When candidates emerge through this process, they carry legitimacy that cannot be easily contested within the party.
This approach also reduces post-primary litigation and conflict. When party members feel they participated in a transparent process, they are more likely to accept the outcome. That unity translates into stronger mobilisation during the main election. It creates a single, focused campaign rather than multiple competing interests.
There is also a strategic layer to this. Popular candidates are easier to sell to the broader electorate. They already have name recognition and local trust. Campaign resources are then used to expand support, not to repair internal divisions. That efficiency matters in a competitive political environment.
Governor Eno’s position shows an understanding of timing. Political systems are not static. What worked in previous cycles may not work now. By insisting on popularity-driven primaries, he aligns the party with current voter expectations. He also sets a standard that rewards effort, visibility, and grassroots work.
For aspirants, the message is direct. Build your base. Engage your wards. Earn your support. The era of waiting for endorsement from above is giving way to validation from below.
If this position is followed through, it could redefine internal party politics in Akwa Ibom. It creates a pathway where merit, measured through acceptance by party members, becomes the deciding factor. That, in practical terms, is how you build a competitive political machine.
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Destiny Young, an IT and Digital Communication Expert, serves as Special Assistant (New Media and Digital Communication) to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State
