Our Reporters
Winners of the just-concluded All Progressives Congress primaries into the House of Representatives in Akwa Ibom State have emerged.
Party leaders said the APC House of Representatives primaries in the state held on Saturday, May 16, 2026, were peaceful and more organised with voting and consensus exercises conducted across the 329 wards and 10 federal constituencies.
The exercise, supervised by INEC officials and security agencies, drew massive turnout and produced a mix of returning lawmakers and new flagbearers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party leaders attributed the calm atmosphere to Governor Umo Eno’s emphasis on unity, transparency, and grassroots engagement, and to the unity between the state government and the office of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
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Governor Eno set the tone in his Ibiakpan Obotim II ward, Nsit Ubium LGA, where he described the process as “free, fair and transparent.”
Congratulating winners across the state, including Obong Paul Ekpo who won in his ward for Etinan Federal Constituency, the governor used the moment to rally support for President Bola Tinubu, Senator Aniekan Bassey, Obong Paul Ekpo, and Rt Hon Otobong Bob.
He urged residents to take advantage of the resumed INEC voter registration exercise.
APC State Deputy Chairman Mr. Aniekan Ekpo thanked the governor for his leadership and infrastructural transformation, while political leader Obong Friday Akpan and Ward Chairman Hon. Jephta Tom pledged massive mobilization for the party.
In Oron Federal Constituency, the Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi commended APC faithful for the peaceful conduct that produced Hon. Martins Esin as the consensus candidate unopposed.
The exercise, supervised by an APC monitoring team from Abuja led by Prof. Amari Omaka, SAN, held across Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Udung Uko, and Urue Offong/Oruko LGAs.
After the vote, Eyakenyi led the observers on a tour of the Oron Beach/Jetty and surrounding areas, with the delegation expressing satisfaction at the pace of development and the peaceful atmosphere under Governor Eno.
Prof. Omaka praised the unity and support for APC in the area, urging members to remain focused for future electoral success. Stakeholders including NDDC Executive Director Rt. Hon. Victor Antai, Udung Uko Chairman, Rt. Hon. Godwin Okponung, Special Adviser Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, and Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey linked the turnout to party unity under Governor Eno and Senate President Akpabio.
Esin thanked delegates and pledged more legislative interventions in infrastructure, education, and youth empowerment.
From Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, was elected as the unopposed candidate of the APC for the 2027 House of Representatives election after polling a total of 36,768 votes in the party’s primaries conducted across the 24 wards of the federal constituency.
The Collation Officer for the Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Elder Friday Iwok, while declaring the result after collating the votes from all the wards in the federal constituency, announced that Idem garnered 17,254 votes in Ukanafun Local Government Area and 19,514 in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.
Our correspondent in the area said the exercise was peaceful, orderly and transparent.
The exercise, according to him, witnessed massive turnout of APC faithful who overwhelmingly queued behind the lawmaker, with party stakeholders and members commending the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
Party faithful noted that the overwhelming support for Rep. Idem was a reflection of his performance, accessibility and commitment to the development of the constituency.
Speaking after announcement of the results, Rep. Idem expressed profound gratitude to the people for the confidence reposed in him through the massive support.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Procurement, thanked President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Governor Umo Eno, party leaders, stakeholders, ward executives and supporters for their unwavering support and loyalty to the APC, describing the outcome of the primary as a collective victory for the people of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency.
The Ukanafun-born lawmaker urged party faithful to redouble their efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections to ensure total victory for Tinubu, Akpabio, Eno, himself and other APC candidates.
Rep. Idem assured the people that he will continue to work assiduously to attract more dividends of democracy to the constituency, stressing that no part of the federal constituency will be neglected in the distribution of projects and empowerment programmes.
“This overwhelming support is a call for greater service and commitment to our people. I remain dedicated to providing quality representation and ensuring that more developmental projects, empowerment opportunities and infrastructural facilities are attracted to every part of Ukanafun and Oruk Anam.”
The APC candidate further called on members of the party to remain united and focused, maintaining that unity and cooperation among party faithful will be crucial to securing victory in the 2027 elections.
At Northern Ukanafun Ward 4, party members turned out en masse for the House of Representatives Primary Election and Ward Meeting held at the Ward Centre, Ikot Akpa Ntuen, Ukanafun Local Government Area.
The exercise was peaceful, transparent, and well-organised, reflecting the unity and growing strength of the party across the ward. Party faithful commended the orderly conduct of the process and the spirit of cooperation displayed throughout the event.
The meeting attracted prominent stakeholders and party supporters, including the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; the Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ukanafun LGA, Engr. Ekpenyong Ekpenyong; the Senior Adviser to the Governor on Educational Monitoring, Pastor Ekponobong Moswill Umoh, among others.
Speaking during the gathering, Ekpenyong appreciated members for their massive turnout and peaceful conduct, urging party faithful to remain united and give their full support to Tinubu, Akpabio, Eno, and all APC candidates ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Idem who emerged Consensus Candidate polled 2,025 votes
At Ward Seven in Ukanafun, the event held at the Ward Civic Centre in Ikot Udo Mbang, was attended by party faithful, political stakeholders, and community elders was led by Rt. Hon. Obong Eno S. Akpan.
Akpan charged party faithful on the need for unity and commitment ahead of future political affairs.
The 17-member committee, drawn from the three villages that make up the ward, was inaugurated by the former member representing Ukanafun State Constituency, Hon. Otobong Johnathan.
The committee has Hon. Richard Udoisak, Abom Aniekan Akpan, Hon. Akaninyene Ntiedo Patrick Engr. Godwin Johna, and Hon. Elder Sunday Amos as statutory members.
In Uyo Federal Constituency, Prince Enobong Uwah, Secretary to the State Government, said the direct primaries method gave members a real say and reduced tension.
Hon. Mark Esset secured the ticket for Uyo, Nsit Atai, Ibesikpo Asutan, and Uruan. Ward 6 Chairman Inibehe Emmanuel confirmed the exercise was rancour-free, crediting it to good governance.
Nsit Atai Chairman, Prince Anthony Nyong and Ibesikpo Asutan Chairman Evangelist Edidiong Inyang expressed confidence in a clean sweep for the party in 2027.
ALGON Chairman, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo pointed to projects like the new model primary school in Oku Ward as evidence of grassroots development.
The pattern of orderly conduct continued in Itu/Ibiono Ibom, where Rt Hon Barr. Ime Bassey Okon emerged as the sole candidate after delegates turned out across 10 wards.
Ibiono Ibom Chairman Asuaka Umoh and Commissioner for Housing Dr. Henry Archibong monitored the process, with stakeholder, Mrs. Ekaette Ebong Okon, describing it as one of the most transparent primaries in the area.
In Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, incumbent Hon. Uduak Odudoh secured an overwhelming majority ahead of Dr. Idongesit Wilson Nta and Mr. Udeme Idemudo.
Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga hailed the Mkpat Enin exercise as peaceful and credible, while Eastern Obolo Chairman
Onna Local Government Area delivered a landslide for Dr. Eunice Thomas, who swept all 12 wards to clinch the Eket Federal Constituency ticket ahead of incumbent Hon. Okpolupm Etteh and Dr. Judith Ogbara.
Former member of House of Representatives, Pat Ifon commended the turnout and credited Governor Eno for providing a conducive atmosphere.
Finance Commissioner Emem Bob said the result reflected growing acceptance of APC at the grassroots and pledged continued mobilization for all party candidates.
Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency produced Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ukpongudo as a consensus candidate, with the lawmaker polling 1,307 votes in Ikono Ward 8 and winning in all wards.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor said Itu Mbonuso remained an APC stronghold because of Governor Eno’s performance, while Ini LGA Chairman Hon. Inibehe Umah and APC Chairman, Mr. Etop Ezekiel said the peace witnessed would translate into victory from the House of Reps to the Presidency.
The contest in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika between incumbent Hon. Clement Jimbo and Engr. Iboro Johnny was adjudged fair and credible.
Jimbo emerged victorious across the 31 wards. Speaker Udeme Otong, Information Commissioner, Aniekan Umanah, and Etim Ekpo Chairman, Gideon Uwa praised the maturity displayed, while APC chieftain Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, urged members to sustain the momentum for 2027.
In Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, incumbent Hon. Dr. Patrick Umoh, Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, swept 375 votes in Ikot Abia Ward 2, Obot Akara, with similar results across the three local government areas.
The exercise was conducted by Returning Officer Mr. Idoreyin Uwa Umoadiaka with INEC and DSS officials present.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and wife Ekaette Unoma Akpabio participated at Methodist School Ukana, Ukana West II, Essien Udim LGA, where Akpabio thanked the people for the turnout and affirmed Umoh as the party’s candidate.
Umoh thanked Akpabio, his wife, and Governor Eno for endorsing his second term and purchasing his nomination form, pledging to continue empowering constituents through federal employment and raise the bar on lawmaking and oversight.
The Commissioner for Transport Dr. Anthony Luke said Okon Ward would deliver some of the highest votes for APC in 2027.
The APC State Chapter, in a release signed by Publicity Secretary Chief Patrick Edeke, thanked Governor Eno, State Chairman Obong Stephen Leo Ntukekpo, the Local Organizing Committee led by Prince Enobong Uwah, and all LGA and ward chairmen for ensuring a seamless exercise.
The party said the primaries reflected its commitment to internal democracy and unity ahead of 2027.
Leaders across the board, including NDDC Executive Director, Rt. Hon. Victor Antai, ALGON Chairman, Dr Uwemedimo Udo, and Commissioner for Works, Prof Eno Ibanga, linked the high turnout and calm conduct to the unity between Governor Eno and Senate President, Akpabio, as well as the governor’s focus on infrastructure and grassroots development.
