Aniefiok Christopher
The three political bigwigs of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State won the Senatorial primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The exercise, which witnessed a large turnout of party members and stakeholders across various wards in the state, was supervised by officials of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio representing Akwa Ibom North West, Senators Ekong Sampson representing Akwa Ibom South and Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial Districts won convincingly at the party’s primaries.
Sampson is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development in the Senate.
Also read: Akpabio, Eno, Sampson and Idem Set for APC Primaries
Bassey is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture Production Services and Rural Development.
Earlier, constituents and party faithful of Senator Akpabio had turned out en masse on Monday, May 18, for the affirmation of Akpabio as the candidate for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District.
Akpabio who was returned unopposed as the sole candidate of the APC, took part in the primary election at his Ward Centre at Ukana West 11, Essien Udim Local Government Area.
Although he was the only aspirant, his kinsmen trooped out to the Ward Centre at Methodist School, Ukana Onuk to support their son whom they said had given them effective representation in all the previous offices he had held having served as Commissioner, Governor, Minority Leader of the Senate, Minister and currently the President of the 10th Senate.
The venue wore the look of a carnival with party faithful singing and dancing to herald the election. Party members described the exercise as peaceful, orderly, and transparent, while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, civil society groups, and other stakeholders monitored the process.
The Returning Officer, Mr Gabriel Ekong acknowledged the massive turn out of party members and thanked them for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
Other APC stakeholders said Akpabio’s support base further strengthened the ruling party’s preparations ahead of the general elections, especially as the APC intensifies consultations and mobilization efforts across the state.
In his remarks, Akpabio thanked party faithful for the confidence they have always reposed in him, assuring constituents of continued quality representation and effective leadership at the National Assembly.
The Senate President reaffirmed his commitment to advancing development initiatives, promoting unity within the party, and supporting the policies of the APC-led Federal Government for the benefit of the people.
Senator Akpabio urged the people to extend their support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno and indeed all candidates of the APC. He pledged to continue to work harder to attract more dividends of democracy to the people.
Akpabio polled 11,895 votes in Abak, 12,877 in Essien Udim, 9,148 in Etim Ekpo, 9,325 in Ika, 10,153 in Ikono, 12,174 in Ikot Ekpene, 8,874 in Ini, 10,062 in Obot Akara, 19,586 in Oruk Anam, and 17,328 in Ukanafun.
In Ukanafun, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives took part in the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by queueing behind the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, GCON, who emerged as the unopposed candidate in exercise.
Idem congratulated the Senate President for his victory following the overwhelming support of the party leaders, stakeholders, ward executives and party faithful, and urged the people to keep mobilizing and supporting the APC to record 100 percent success in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after the exercise, Governor Umo Eno commended party members for the orderly conduct of the primaries, describing the process as a reflection of the prevailing political stability in the state.
Meanwhile, Senator Bassey, who emerged as the unopposed participated in the exercise at his polling unit in Ekim Village, Southern Uruan Ward II, where party faithful turned out in large numbers to affirm his candidacy.
Speaking with journalists shortly after his nomination, the Senator commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the primaries across the district, attributing the seamless process to the leadership style of Governor Umo Eno.
He described the Governor’s commitment to peace and inclusive governance as a major factor behind the rancour-free exercise witnessed across the state.
“Governor Umo Eno’s disposition to peace has become the hallmark of political engagement in Akwa Ibom State. What we witnessed today is a direct reflection of his deliberate efforts to ensure that party activities are conducted in an atmosphere of calm, unity and mutual respect,” he explained.
Bassey also lauded the Governor’s working relationship with the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, noting that their collaboration has fostered unity and stability in the state.
According to him, the alliance has created a political environment that prioritises development over division and has positioned Akwa Ibom as a model for peaceful governance.
The Senator thanked APC members in the district for their overwhelming support and for returning him as the party’s flag bearer for the senatorial seat.
He assured constituents that his renewed mandate would be directed toward expanding economic empowerment programmes, accelerating infrastructural development, and deepening human capital development across the district.
“The trust reposed in me by our party members is a call to serve with greater dedication,” he said. “I remain committed to delivering tangible benefits that will improve livelihoods and consolidate the peace and progress we now enjoy under Governor Umo Eno’s leadership.”
