2027: Aspirants Ignore Akpabio, Eno On Consensus, Buy Nomination Forms

Despite threat by Governor Umo Eno that new aspirants gunning for ticket in both National and State Assembly in the forthcoming polls on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, would not be sponsored or supported by his administration, the directive has been ignored.

The governor had pointedly told those nursing such ambitions, especially his appointees, to perish the thought, disclosing that he had an agreement with the lawmakers to grant them automatic return tickets as a condition before they moved with him to the APC on June 6, 2025, warning that no compensation for them after failing nominations.

But LEADERSHIP checks revealed that across the three senatorial districts – Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket; the 10 federal constituencies and the 26 state constituencies, hordes of aspirants, in spite of the huge cost, have bought the nomination and expression of interests forms, before the close of sales on May 6, 2026.

However, the controversial and unanimous decision has brewed tension across the state, forcing some aggrieved APC members who migrated from the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to, again, resign from the APC, while thinking of the next opposition parties to pitch tent, especially with the PDP still in disarray.

Amongst those who quit Governor Eno’s cabinet is his Special Adviser on Legislative Affairs, and former Speaker of the State Assembly, Dr. Aniekan Uko, who explained in his resignation letter that he was going to pursue his higher legislative ambition, and has bought the forms to vie for the Uyo/Uruan,Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan federal constituency seat, with the incumbent Hon. Mark Esset, and one Blessing Ossom.

It was gathered that the governor, apparently miffed by the wholesale flouting of his order, had taken the matter before the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, appealing to him to help enforce the resolution as a fallout of the agreement.

Therefore, our correspondent learnt that at a stakeholders’ meeting held about a fortnight ago at Senator Akpabio’s Shelter Afrique residence in Uyo, the state capital, Akpabio was said to have capitulated, and yielded to the governor’s plea.

“Yes, we were asked to drop our ambitions for the Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, to return for third term in Oruk Anam/Ukanafun federal constituency. The slot had always been rotated between these two local government areas forming the constituency, but because of the political dynamics and exigency of the moment, I had to step down,” an aspirant from Ukanafun axis confided in our correspondent.

It was also gathered that Akpabio’s aide, popularly called Anisolo, and a prominent medical doctor and former Oruk Anam LGA chairman, Dr. David Umoessien, also jettisoned their ambition and congratulated Hon. Idem, pledging their supports.

Also, all the House of Representatives members across the 10 federal constituencies would return, except Eket/Esit Eket/Onna/Ibeno federal constituency representative, Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, who is expected to give way for his kinswoman, Mrs. Eunice Thomas, a former commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, a staunch Akpabio’s ally currently at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), to fly the flag.

Despite this, Etteh, and another contender, have purchased the nomination and expression of interests forms, insisting that they would drop their ambition at the primaries, which observers say would be a mock contest with a predetermined conclusion in favour of government preferred candidate.

At the State House of Assembly, it was gathered that all the 26 members of the state House of Assembly except three – Mfon Idung (Etim Ekpo/Ika), who would give way for a government candidate from Ika – Mr. Boniface Ebewo, and two opposition PDP members from Onna and Etinan State constituencies, who failed to detect to the APC, because of their alleged loyalty to their political godfather; former Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

However, Chief Essien, a former House of Representatives member for Eket/Esit Eket/Onna/Ibeno federal constituency frowned at such unpopular decision, maintaining that it was not healthy for democracy.