By Dominic Akpan
The atmosphere in the 329 wards of Akwa Ibom State was calm, orderly and politically reassuring as the All Progressives Congress, APC, conducted its House of Representatives primary in the 10 federal constituencies of the State.
In all the federal constituencies, party faithful turned out in large numbers to participate in what many stakeholders described as one of the most peaceful and coordinated primary exercises in recent political history.
Unlike previous election cycles often characterized by tension, protests and factional disagreements, this year’s exercise reflected the outcome of weeks of consultations, reconciliatory meetings and consensus-building among leaders of the party at various levels.
The foundation for the peaceful conduct of the exercise had been laid during the statewide stakeholders’ meeting convened by the leadership of the APC in Akwa Ibom last week, where nine out of the 10 serving members of the House of Representatives were adopted as preferred candidates for the 2027 general elections.
Party elders, caucus leaders, local government stakeholders, women groups and youth representatives had at the meeting held in the councils’ secretariat emphasized the need for continuity, stability.
The gathering, which drew political heavyweights from all parts of the State, resolved that the lawmakers should be supported for another term.
Consequently, the stakeholders adopted Patrick Umoh for Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udom/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Clement Jimbo for Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, Unyime Idem for Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, and Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency.
Others adopted were Paul Ekpo for Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency, Mark Esset for Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency, Ime Okon for Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, Uduak Odudoh for Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency and Martin Esin for Oron/Urue Offong Oruko/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko Federal Constituency.
In Eket/Esit Eket/ONNA/Ibeno Federal Constituency, stakeholders rallied behind Mrs. Eunice Thomas whose emergence generated considerable enthusiasm among women groups and party supporters within the federal constituency.
Political observers noted that the consensus arrangement significantly reduced friction ahead of the primaries, as many aspirants accepted the decision of the stakeholders in the interest of party unity.
In several federal constituencies, the incumbents either had no challengers or faced minimal opposition, making the process largely seamless.
In Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, Hon. Unyime Idem enjoyed overwhelming acceptance among delegates and stakeholders. Party faithful in the area described him as a grassroots politician whose empowerment programmes and constituency projects had strengthened the APC structure in the constituency. With no formidable opposition, the exercise proceeded peacefully in all the wards in the federal constituency.
A similar atmosphere prevailed in Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udom/Obot Akara Federal Constituency where Hon. Patrick Umoh had no opponent. Delegates and party executives commended the spirit of unity demonstrated by party members, noting that the constituency had remained cohesive throughout the process.
Voting centres witnessed orderly accreditation and voting, while security personnel maintained a professional presence to ensure smooth conduct.
In Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency, Hon. Mark Esset recorded an easy ride following the withdrawal of two notable aspirants, Lady Blessing Ossom and Hon. Aniekan Uko, before the commencement of the primary. Their withdrawal was seen by many party faithful as a demonstration of maturity and loyalty to the collective interest of the APC.
Consequently, the exercise across the wards was peaceful and devoid of rancour.
At Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency, party members turned out early in their various ward centres where Hon. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo was returned unopposed amid jubilation from supporters.
Stakeholders in the area praised the peaceful conduct of the exercise and commended party officials for ensuring transparency and coordination.
The only visibly competitive contest among the adopted incumbents occurred in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency where Hon. Clement Jimbo squared up against Engr. Iboro Johnny.
Despite the contest, the atmosphere remained calm throughout the exercise. Political leaders in the constituency had earlier adopted Hon. Jimbo as consensus candidate during meetings held in the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency.
Supporters of both aspirants conducted themselves peacefully while party members exercised their franchise in an orderly manner.
Observers described the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika primary as a demonstration that internal democracy and peaceful coexistence can thrive within the same political environment. Security agencies and party officials were commended for their professionalism and neutrality during the process.
In their separate remarks, chieftains of the party in the federal constituency, Prof. Nkereuwem Etukudoh, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information; Hon. Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN; Hon. Uwemedimoh Nwoko, SAN; Hon. Udeme Otong, speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
In Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency, the primary was equally peaceful, with stakeholders applauding the maturity displayed by party members. Hon. Uduak Odudoh, speaking after the exercise, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the primary and praised party members for their peaceful disposition.
Also speaking in Ikot Abasi, Engr. Uwem Okoko described the exercise as transparent and credible, adding that the peaceful conduct of party members reflected the growing unity within the APC family in the constituency.
The presence of prominent party leaders further boosted confidence in the process. In Ikpa Ikono Ward 2, Senator Ekong Sampson personally led the exercise in his ward, where party faithful conducted themselves peacefully and orderly.
Attention also shifted to Eket Federal Constituency where the contest was a straight battle involving the incumbent, Hon. Opolopom Etteh, Dr. Eunice Thomas and Dr. Judith Ogbara.
Supporters of the three aspirants participated actively while maintaining decorum throughout the exercise. Political analysts described the contest as one of the most closely watched primariy in the State due to the profile and support base of the contenders.
In Oron/Urue Offong Oruko/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko Federal Constituency, the peaceful atmosphere was equally evident as party members carried out the exercise without incident.
The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, was on ground to lead the process in her area, lending further credibility and confidence to the exercise.
The same peaceful ambience was witnessed in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area where the council chairman, Hon. Uno Etim Uno, supervised activities in his ward, Eyulor.
Party supporters commended the orderly conduct of delegates and the absence of violence or intimidation.
In Etinan/Nsit Ubium/Nsit Ibom Federal Constituency, the exercise also proceeded smoothly as party members queued up behind Hon. Paul Ekpo’s agent in each ward.
Stakeholders praised the organizational capacity of the party and expressed optimism that the peaceful primaries would strengthen the APC ahead of the general elections.
Similarly, in Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, party faithful described the primary as peaceful, transparent and successful. Stakeholders in the area applauded the leadership of the party for fostering unity and discouraging divisive tendencies among aspirants.
Across the State, party leaders repeatedly emphasized that the peaceful conduct of the primaries demonstrated the growing internal cohesion within the APC in Akwa Ibom.
Many observers attributed the success of the exercise to the extensive consultations carried out before the primaries as well as the willingness of aspirants to place party unity above personal ambition.
For many party faithful, the peaceful conduct of the House of Representatives primary was not merely an internal exercise, but a signal that the APC in Akwa Ibom was gradually evolving into a more united and organized political force capable of presenting a formidable front in future elections.
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