Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has been declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary.
Following a statewide exercise held on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the Chairman of the State APC Primary Elections Committee, Hon. Nwofe Alexander, announced that the Governor secured a staggering 392,653 votes.
The announcement, made at a victory celebration in Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, was punctuated by the presentation of a certificate of return, with officials describing the process as peaceful and transparent.
Accepting the nomination, Governor Eno characterized the victory as an “overwhelming vote of confidence” and a mandate to accelerate the development of the state.
He pledged to revisit and enhance his administration’s flagship ARISE Agenda, promising that the framework would be “updated and reloaded” to usher in a golden age for Akwa Ibom over the next five years.
To ensure continuity in governance, the Governor officially confirmed that his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, will remain his running mate for the 2027 gubernatorial race.
The Governor took a moment to acknowledge the federal and legislative support that paved the way for this political milestone.
He expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly guidance since the “Progressive Movement” of June 2025 and for his role in facilitating state-level development through increased funding.
Furthermore, he lauded Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, for a productive partnership, alongside the state party leadership led by Obong Stephen Ntukekpo and the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah.
Looking ahead, Governor Eno urged party faithful to maintain their momentum and turn out on Saturday, May 23, to nominate President Tinubu for re-election.
His speech served as both a victory lap and a call to action, emphasizing that the unity displayed during the primaries is essential for the APC’s success in the general elections.
He noted that the strength of the party lies in its grassroots mobilization and the visible impact of its current policies on the lives of the citizens.
Finally, the Governor issued a challenge to the broader political community, calling on other parties to emulate the APC’s “free, fair, and transparent” primary process.
He urged future opponents to prioritize issue-based campaigning over “calumny” and divisive rhetoric. By focusing on the collective good rather than political friction, Eno expressed his desire to maintain a stable and peaceful political environment as the state prepares for the 2027 polls.
