Aspirants, Supporters Protest Conduct Of APC Reps Primaries In Akwa Ibom

Widespread protests across some local government areas in Akwa Ibom State have marred the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the nomination of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

During visits to different ward centres in Essien Udim, Obot Akara, Ikot Ekpene, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ukanafun, Oruk Anam, Abak, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Ibom, Etinan, and other local government areas, consensus arrangements were largely followed, as preferred aspirants—mostly returnees seeking second and third terms—were adopted.

LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that the consensus arrangements did not hold in several centres, and attempts to impose them were resisted by some aggrieved aspirants and their supporters, who cited the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, as having said that “primaries should hold where consensus fails.”

At the Adiasim Ikot Ata Enin Ward Centre in Essien Udim LGA, violence was averted as the aspirant for Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Mr. Erikan Tom, rejected the consensus arrangement, insisting it could not stand in place of a primary election. Organisers, however, maintained that the internal party decision must be respected.

Addressing journalists and supporters, Tom drew the attention of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the APC National Chairman, and President Bola Tinubu to what he described as a clear violation of the provision that where consensus fails, a poll should be conducted to determine the winner.

He said: “I am a bona fide member of this Adiasim community and I am eminently qualified to contest the primary, having bought the form, been screened and cleared.

“I have to stake my neck for this contest because it is the turn of Essien Udim and Adiasim this time. There was a resolution at the national level of the party that where consensus fails, a contest should be allowed, but today, that resolution has been openly flouted,” he lamented.

At Abak Urban Ward 4 centre in Utu Abak, there was celebration as the incumbent and returning lawmaker, Clement Jimbo, defeated a fresh aspirant, Mr. Iboro Johnny.

At the time of filing this report, returning officers were on the verge of announcing the party nominees based on predetermined conclusions as arranged by party stakeholders and leaders in the state, including Governor Umo Eno and Senator Akpabio.