A severe crisis has engulfed the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the parallel emergence of two governorship flagbearers, Hon. Eyakekpono Obo and Senator John Udoedeghe, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development has plunged the opposition party into internal turmoil, with both factions fiercely laying claim to the ticket.
Party stakeholders and loyalists have expressed deep concern over the widening rift, warning that the unresolved dispute severely threatens the party’s unity and its chances at the upcoming polls as it risks sliding into a protracted legal and political warfare.
Adding fuel to the fire, another frontline governorship aspirant, Barrister Mfon Peter, who contested the primary election has vehemently rejected the outcome of the exercise and vowed to challenge it.
Peter alleged that the results announced on Sunday by the Chairman of the Primaries Electoral Committee, Mr. Titus Ejoor, were completely “concocted” and did not reflect the democratic will of the party’s grassroots members.
He asserted that the process was heavily manipulated to favour his rival, thereby undermining the democratic integrity of the party.
Detailing the alleged irregularities, Peter claimed he was systematically excluded from the entire process. He questioned how the electoral committee could have legally conducted elections across the 31 Local Government Areas and 349 wards of Akwa Ibom State within an impossible timeframe.
According to him, the committee arbitrarily rescheduled the exercise from Friday to Saturday, May 23, without notifying him, his agents, or his supporters, ensuring they were completely disenfranchised while his opponent escorted committee members to secure a “false victory.”
The aggrieved aspirant further noted that standard party guidelines were blatantly flouted, stressing that mandated accreditation and voting hours were entirely ignored.
Peter pointed out that elections did not take place in major strongholds like the Eket Senatorial District, as well as several local government areas within Uyo.
Furthermore, he revealed that he was denied his right to nominate representatives to join the electoral committee, rendering the entire exercise fraudulent.
Concluding his stance, Peter confirmed that he has already formally submitted a petition before the ADC Governorship Election Appeal Committee.
While expressing optimism that the party leadership will meticulously review the evidence and nullify the tainted exercise, he issued a stern warning of imminent litigation. “If they fail to do so, I will seriously litigate this process,” Peter declared, signaling a looming court battle that could further fracture the party’s structure in the state.
