Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Akwa Ibom State after a landslide victory in the party’s primaries held over the weekend.
Key Highlights:
The exercise, supervised by national officials of the party and chaired by Mr. Titus Ejoor, also produced candidates for the three senatorial districts, 10 House of Representatives seats, and 36 state House of Assembly constituencies.
Announcing the results on Sunday night at the Helema Event Centre in Uyo, Ejoor disclosed that Akpanudoedehe secured 66,099 votes to defeat his lone challenger, Mfon Udeme, who polled 103 votes.
“Based on this result, I hereby declare Senator John Akpanudoedehe as the winner of the ADC governorship primaries in Akwa Ibom State,” Ejoor announced.
In his acceptance speech, Akpanudoedehe thanked party members for their confidence in him and vowed to challenge the administration of Governor Umo Eno in the 2027 election.
The former APC interim national secretary said the ADC was determined to tackle what he described as rising poverty, unemployment, and hardship in the state despite increasing federal allocations.
“We are ready to confront hunger, unemployment, and other challenges affecting the people of Akwa Ibom,” he stated.
Taking a swipe at the current administration, Akpanudoedehe accused the government of lacking policies capable of lifting citizens out of poverty.
“We are coming to rebuild Akwa Ibom and move our people from poverty to prosperity.
“We will hold the government accountable because constructive opposition is essential for democracy,” he added.
He also praised the conduct of the primaries, describing the process as transparent, peaceful, and credible, while calling for unity among all party candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the senatorial primaries, Princess Patience Akpabio emerged as the ADC candidate for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Sunday Umoren clinched the ticket for Uyo Senatorial District, while Louis Udoh secured the nomination.
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Speaking on behalf of the senatorial candidates, Princess Akpabio declared that the ADC was prepared to challenge the political dominance of the ruling parties in the state.
“The stage is set for us to reclaim power and offer the people a new direction,” she said, while urging residents to participate actively in the ongoing voter registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ADC also produced candidates for all federal constituencies in the state during the House of Representatives primaries.
Among those who secured tickets are Jackson Emem Daniel (Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium), Hanson Paul (Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo), John Gabriel (Oron/Mbo/Udung Uko/Okobo/Urue-Offong Oruko), Akaninyene Udofa (Oruk Anam/Ukanafun), Chris Sunday George (Eket/Onna/Esit Eket/Ibeno), Alfred Umoh (Ikono/Ini), Nnamonso David (Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo), Nsikak Umoeka (Itu/Ibiono-Ibom), Ofonime Johnson Inyang (Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika), and Isaac Asuquo (Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara).
Additionally, 26 candidates emerged unopposed for various State House of Assembly constituencies across Akwa Ibom State.
The primaries mark an early political mobilisation by the ADC as the party intensifies efforts to position itself as a formidable opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections in Akwa Ibom State.
