Senator John Akpan Udo-Edehe has emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Akwa Ibom governorship election, vowing to unseat Governor Umo Eno in 2027.
Udoedeghe was declared the winner of the party’s primary held on Saturday after securing a total of 66,099 votes to win over his opponent, Barr Mfon Peter, who scored 103 votes at the exercise.
The Chairman of the Primaries Election Committee, Mr Titus Ejor, announced the results on Sunday evening in Uyo, declaring the process peaceful and conducted in line with ADC guidelines.
Speaking after his declaration, the former National Secretary of the Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said his emergence reflected the desire of the Akwa Ibom people for change and accountable leadership.
“The people are tired of excuses. By 2027, we will return power to the people and deliver the development Akwa Ibom deserves,” he said.
Udo-Edehe, who represented Akwa Ibom North East in the Senate, stated that his campaign would focus on economic revival, youth empowerment, and infrastructural development across the state’s 31 local government areas.
He accused the administration of Eno of “spreading poverty in the midst of abundance”, adding that his government would provide lofty policies that would reposition the state for prosperity and development.
“I am not in your government; I am an opposition person who wants to take power from you. I want to hold you accountable, so you don’t need me to be friendly with you.
“You have spread poverty in the midst of plenty, you have turned out young men to old men with gray hairs.
“You have stressed out people with bad policies. You don’t have a policy to make our people move away from poverty, that’s why we want to change you,” Udo-Edehe added.
