- APC Clears Akpabio, Gov Eno for Senatorial and Governorship Primaries
- As Sen. Sampson and Bassey devise strategies to secure victory for APC members
Aniefiok Christopher
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja has screened and cleared governorship and Senatorial aspirants ahead of the party’s primaries in Akwa Ibom State on May 15, 2026.
Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno were successfully screened and cleared for the upcoming APC primaries.
.Senator Ekong Sampson representing Akwa Ibom South and Senator Aniekan Bassey representing Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial Districts also got the clean health bill to stand for the primaries.
After the clearance, the Senators gunning for a second term met with Senator Akpabio to discuss the Akwa Ibom project and strategies to secure victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, and all APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Also read: Akwa Ibom APC Congress Reconstituted as Akpabio, Eno Celebrate Success
They also congratulated House of Representatives members from the Akwa Ibom APC caucus on their successful screening, reaffirming their commitment to the unity and progress of the state and Nigeria.
Similarly, the member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, PhD, was successfully screened by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Panel in Abuja, on Saturday, May 9, 2027.
The screening took place ahead of the 2027 general election primaries, as Idem seeks to represent the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State under the APC banner preparatory for the party’s primaries on Friday, May 15, 2026.
Moreover, other members in the House of Representatives cleared by the party are eligible to stand for the primaries.
APC Clears Gov Eno for Governorship Primary
Akwa Ibom Governor , Pastor Umo Eno, has successfully scaled through his screening exercise with the All Progressives Congress and has been cleared to contest in the party’s forthcoming governorship primary election.
The screening, which took place on Saturday, May 9, at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, was part of the APC’s scheduled vetting process for aspirants seeking the party’s ticket across the country.
Governor Eno, who appeared before members of the party’s National Working Committee chaired by the Party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, for verification and eligibility assessment, was at the conclusion of the exercise invited to take a bow before the panel after being formally cleared.
Speaking during the screening, Governor Eno said his administration has remained committed to the ARISE Agenda blueprint and, within three years, executed numerous people-oriented projects across the 31 local government areas of the state.
He emphasized that his second term bid is aimed at consolidating the achievements already recorded in infrastructure, healthcare, rural development, and social welfare.
The Governor noted that one of the initiatives closest to his heart is the Compassionate Homes project targeted at providing decent shelter for vulnerable women in rural communities.
According to him, the administration targets the construction of 500 homes, adding that over 400 have already been completed within three years, with optimism that the remaining units would be delivered within the next year.
He further explained that every local government area in the state has benefited from at least one major project under his administration, while several health-care facilities have also been built to improve access to quality healthcare services.
Eno added that Akwa Ibom was recently recognized as having one of the fastest-growing health agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa due to strategic investments in the sector.
The Governor revealed that he facilitated the defection of two senators, eight members of the House of Representatives, 24 members of the State House of Assembly, and 360 ward councillors into the APC.
He commended Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for supporting his administration and aligning with his vision for a greater Akwa Ibom.
Governor Eno maintained that his administration runs an inclusive government and thanked God for the peace, unity, and development witnessed across the state, noting that the peaceful atmosphere has significantly contributed to steady progress in various sectors.
He also commended members of the National Working Committee for what he described as a seamless screening process.
The APC National Chairman commended the rapid pace of development in the state and encouraged the Governor to sustain the momentum for the benefit of the people.
He noted that the progress in governance and development has been made possible because the Governor enjoys the support and acceptance of the people.
In related development, the Governor played host to a delegation of members of the National Assembly at the Akwa Ibom State Lodge, Abuja who visited to congratulate him on the successful screening and reaffirm their confidence in his leadership.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Aniekan Bassey appreciated Governor Eno for keeping his promise of uniting the people and sustaining peace in the state, pledging unwavering support for the administration and its ARISE Agenda vision.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, described Governor Eno’s leadership as peaceful and unifying, noting that Akwa Ibom presently has only one governorship aspirant cleared by the APC — a development he described as unprecedented.
The APC State Chairman, Stephen Ntukekpo, thanked God for giving the Governor wisdom and sincerity of purpose to unite the state, and pledged the party’s continued support for the administration.
Governor Eno, in his remarks, thanked Senate President Godswill Akpabio and members of the state caucus for their confidence and solidarity, promising to continue working with all stakeholders for a greater and better Akwa Ibom.
The screening process reflects the APC’s commitment to internal democracy and credible leadership selection in the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
