The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 governorship election after securing 392,653 votes in the party’s primary election held across ward centres in the state.
Chairman of the State APC Primary Elections Committee, Hon. Alexander Nwofe, declared Governor Eno winner of the exercise conducted on Thursday, May 21, 2026, and presented him with a certificate of return at Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
Hon. Nwofe said the exercise was “generally peaceful across the state”.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Eno pledged continued commitment to the development of the state, describing the support of party faithful as “an overwhelming vote of confidence” and “a call to do more”.
“You have nominated me to continue the expansion of our growth and development, which in three years has been nationally acknowledged,” he said.
The governor said his administration would sustain investments in agriculture and agro-allied enterprises to make staple foods affordable for residents.
“We will continue to work to make our staple foods available through investments in agriculture and agro-allied enterprises,” he stated.
Governor Eno said his administration’s ARISE Agenda would be “reviewed, updated and reloaded for greater service,” while projects spanning healthcare, education and housing would be completed across the 31 local government areas.
Highlighting achievements of his administration, the governor said over 1,300 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges had been constructed or completed within three years, alongside 31 primary healthcare centres and model primary schools.
He also disclosed that his administration had paid over N82 billion out of the N111 billion inherited from previous administrations dating back to 2012, expressing optimism that the balance would be cleared before the end of his first term in 2027.
Governor Eno further announced that Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi would remain his running mate in the 2027 gubernatorial election.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his “fatherly role” since aligning with the Progressive Movement in June 2025 and for enabling subnational development through fund availability.
He appreciated Senate President Godswill Akpabio, party leaders and supporters for their backing, urging party members to participate massively in Saturday’s APC presidential primary to nominate President Tinubu for re-election in 2027.
In separate remarks, party stakeholders and political leaders commended Governor Eno for maintaining peace in the state and executing development projects across Akwa Ibom.
