By Dominic Akpan
The delay by the ruling All Progressives Congress in publishing the screening reports for National Assembly, governorship and presidential aspirants has continued to generate political anxiety across the country, with many stakeholders linking the development to intense power tussles, consensus negotiations and fears of post-primary implosion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Across several states, the atmosphere within the party, particularly in flashpoint states has become increasingly charged as aspirants await the outcome of the screening exercise, amidst political horse-trading
and the need by the national leadership of the APC to carefully manage competing interests before officially unveiling the final list of cleared aspirants.
In many states, governors, former governors, ministers and influential Abuja-based power brokers are reportedly battling to secure tickets for loyalists.
The situation has heightened tensions in some flashpoint states where parallel camps have emerged within the party structure.
States such as Rivers, Benue, Kano, and Ondo and are already witnessing signs of internal rebellion, with threats of litigation, protests and possible defections.
However, unlike some of the troubled states, Akwa Ibom is not on the list of flashpoint states in the ongoing APC internal permutations.
Investigations have revealed that the prevailing harmony within the party structure in the state is largely due to the growing political understanding and strategic alignment between Gov. Umo Eno and the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
Unlike some states where rival factions are openly battling for supremacy, APC in Akwa Ibom State is operating within a unified political framework driven by uncommon cooperation between the governor, who is the leader of the party and the Senate President.
Party sources disclosed that the absence of parallel camps in the state has significantly reduced internal tension and helped stabilise the APC ahead of the primaries.
The emerging atmosphere of political consensus is already beginning to reflect in the conduct of some aspirants, with a number of National Assembly hopefuls reportedly stepping down from the race in what insiders described as strategic withdrawals aimed at strengthening party cohesion.
Among those said to have withdrawn from the contest are Hon. Aniekan Uko and Blessing Ossom. The duo stepped down from the House of Representatives race for Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency seat.
In Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael has reportedly withdrawn from the race, while
Hon. Francis Uduyok has also stepped down in the Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District contest for the incumbent, Senator Ekong Sampson.
At the party’s consultative meetings held on Wednesday in all the local government areas, stakeholders, women and youths endorsed President Bola Tinubu, Senator Akpabio, Gov. Eno and their preferred candidates for National Assembly and House of Assembly.
Already, the list of cleared candidates for the 26 state constituencies have been released.
Political observers believe the withdrawals may not be unconnected with ongoing consultations and realignments within the party aimed at avoiding rancorous primaries and preserving internal harmony.
Analysts say the development further underscores the difference between Akwa Ibom and some volatile APC states where fierce rivalries among political heavyweights have continued to fuel uncertainty within the party.
At the national level, fears still persist that a poorly managed screening process could produce parallel candidates, trigger rebellion within state chapters and ultimately weaken the APC’s electoral machinery ahead of the 2027 general election.
For now, however, Akwa Ibom appears to be charting a different course, with the growing synergy between Gov. Eno and Senator Akpabio helping to maintain political stability within the party and reduce the likelihood of post-primary crisis.
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