… Picks Sen. Eyakeneyi as running mate

By Uko Etim

UYO—Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has been declared winner of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primary held on Thursday in the state.

After the primary, the Governor scored a total of 392, 653 votes and was announced by the Chairman of the State APC Primary Elections Committee, Hon. Nwofe Alexander on Friday.

Nwofe who was accompanied by members of the committee, presented a certificate of return to the Governor, at a victory party at Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, and acknowledged that the exercise was generally peaceful across the State.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Eno pledged continuous dedication to the service of the State, adding that the support by party faithful was an overwhelming confidence in him and a call to do more.

He said the ARISE Agenda will be assessed for gaps, updated and reloaded for greater service.

“You have nominated me to continue the expansion of our growth and development, which in three years have been nationally acknowledged.

“We will continue to work to make our staple foods available through investments in agriculture and agro-allied enterprises. From the oil palm tree crop revolution, soon to be launched, to the agricultural equipment leasing company recently launched, the farming seedlings initiative, among others, we will ensure our staple foods are available at prices our people can afford.

“We remain dedicated to the completion of all projects in the 31 local government areas, spanning healthcare and education, as well as our ARISE Compassionate Homes initiative,” he said.

Governor Eno enumerated some of the milestone of his administration, with specific mention of the ARISE Palm Resort, which he said, when commissioned, will bring the world to the State and stimulate economic growth.

The Governor noted that within three years, his administration has constructed or deployed the finishers’ anointing in completing 1,300km of roads and 40 bridges, built 31 primary healthcare centres, some which have been commissioned while work is ongoing with others alongside model primary schools, and paid over N82 billion out of the N111 billion inherited from past administrations dating back to 2012.

He expressed hope of completing the payment before the end of his first term in 2027.

Governor Eno said the State remains an oasis of peace, while the investments in aviation and the recent inaugural international flight from the Victor Attah International Airport to Accra, Ghana, has placed the State as the tourism hub of the region.

He said the State is rising to a golden age and in the next five years, will move the needle even higher for collective good.

The Governor announced that his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakeneyi will remain his running mate in the 2027 gubernatorial election.

The visibly elated flag -bearer of the Party, appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his fatherly role especially since the Progressive Movement in June 2025, and for enabling states development by making funds available.

He appreciated Senator Godswill Akpabio, for partnership, the State Chairman of the Party, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, and members of the primary elections Committee led by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, his family as well as the party faithful, for their overwhelming support.

The Governor urged everyone to continue in the same spirit on Saturday May 23, by voting to nominate President Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

He call on other political parties in the State and beyond to emulate the APC which, he said, has conducted a free, fair and transparent primaries worthy of emulation, and urged those that will emerge as candidates of other political parties to avoid campaign of calumny but focus on issues, to avoid heating up the polity.