Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer for the 2027 governorship election after he polled 392,653 votes in the party’s primary election held across ward centres in the state.
Hon. Alexander Nwofe, Chairman, State APC Primary Elections Committee announced Governor Eno as winner of the exercise held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 and awarded him a certificate of return at Ikot Ekpene Udo in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
The exercise was “mostly peaceful across the state” Hon. Nwofe said.
During his acceptance speech, Governor Eno pledged to be committed to the development of the state, describing the support of party faithful as “an overwhelming vote of confidence” and “a call to do more”.
“You have nominated me to continue the expansion of our growth and development which in three years has been nationally acknowledged,” he said.
The governor said his administration would continue to invest in agriculture and agro-allied businesses to make staple foods affordable for the people.
“We will continue to work to make our staple foods available through investments in agriculture and agro-allied enterprises,” he said.
Governor Eno said his administration’s ARISE Agenda would be “reviewed, updated and reloaded for greater service,” while projects in health care, education and housing would be completed across the 31 local government areas.
Over the last three years, more than 1,300 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges had been constructed or completed, 31 primary healthcare centres and model primary schools had been established, the governor said.
He also disclosed that his administration has paid over N82 billion out of the N111 billion inherited from previous administrations since 2012, saying he was hopeful that the balance would be cleared before the end of his first term in 2027.
Governor Eno also announced that Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi will continue as his running mate in the 2027 gubernatorial election.
The Governor applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fatherly role since he joined the Progressive Movement in June 2025 and for making subnational development possible through availability of funds.
He thanked Senate President Godswill Akpabio, party leaders and supporters for their support, and urged party members to come out in their numbers for Saturday’s APC presidential primary to elect President Tinubu for re-election in 2027.
Party stakeholders and political leaders in separate comments commended Governor Eno for sustaining peace in the state and for undertaking development projects across Akwa Ibom.
