A Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, has clinched the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket in Akwa Ibom State after the party’s primaries held over the weekend.
The exercise which was, conducted by national officers of the party led by Mr. Titus Ejoor, the chairman of the Primary Election Committee, also produced candidates for three senatorial districts, 10 House of Representatives seats, and 36 House of Assembly constituencies.
Declaring the results at Helema Event Centre in Uyo on Sunday night, Ejoor said Akpanudoedehe polled a total of 66,099 votes to defeat his only opponent, Barr. Mfon Udeme, who scored 103 votes.
“Based on this result, may I officially declare Senator John Akpanudoedehe as winner of the ADC governorship primaries in Akwa Ibom State,” Ejoor stated.
In his acceptance speech, Akpanudoedehe, a former Uyo Local Government Council Chairman and ex-Interim National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed gratitude to party members for their support and declared his readiness to contest against the administration of Governor Umo Eno.
He said the ADC was ready to tackle what he described as economic hardship and gaps in governance in the state.
“We’re ready to confront hunger, unemployment and other malaise plaguing the administration of Governor Umo Eno, despite huge allocations from the centre,” Akpanudoedehe said.
“I am an opposition person who wants to take power from you. You’ve turned our young men into old men with grey hairs. You don’t have a policy to move people out of poverty, that is why we want to change you,” He added.
“We’re coming to build Akwa Ibom people from your deliberate policy of poverty to affluence. We’re coming to hold you accountable. Opposition is not your enemy; we’re coming to put you on your toes. It is our constitutional responsibility to show you what you’ve not done right,” he added.
Akpanudoedehe also praised the election committee for what he described as a transparent and orderly process, while pledging loyalty to the party and calling for unity among candidates.
Mr. Titus Ejoor, the chairman of the Primary Election Committee congratulated all successful aspirants and praised party members for conducting themselves peacefully during the exercise.
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He said the smooth conduct of the primaries reflected the ADC’s internal unity and called on candidates to work together ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the senatorial races, Princess Patience Ibanga Akpabio, who is linked by marriage to Senate President Godswill Akpabio won the ADC ticket for Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom North-West), Sunday Umoren secured the Uyo Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom North-East) ticket, while Louis Paul Udoh emerged as the candidate for Eket Senatorial District (Akwa Ibom South).
She spoke on behalf of the senatorial candidates and said the ADC was positioned to challenge the ruling establishment in the state.
“The stage is set for us to wrest the baton from my son-in-law, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, of the ruling All Progressives Congress.” Princess Patience declared.
She called on eligible voters to participate in the ongoing voter registration exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), emphasizing that voter turnout would be crucial in 2027.
In the House of Representatives primaries, the ADC fielded candidates in all federal constituencies across the state.
The winners include 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), Barr. 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).
The party also declared 26 State House of Assembly candidates who emerged unopposed across various constituencies, namely Onna, Uruan, Ikono, Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo, Nsit Atai, Ukanafun, Abak, Essien Udim, Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Ibiono-Ibom, Etinan, Mkpat Enin, Ika, Oruk Anam, Eket, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Ibom, Esit Eket, Ibeno, Etim Ekpo, Okobo, Urue-Offong Oruko, Oron/Udung Uko, Mbo, and Itu.
The results point to early mobilisation within the ADC ahead of the 2027 elections, as the party aims to establish itself as a strong contender against the ruling political structure in Akwa Ibom State.
