Widespread protests across several local government areas in Akwa Ibom State have disrupted the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the nomination of candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Visits to various 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 showed that consensus arrangements were largely adopted, with preferred aspirants—mostly incumbents seeking second and third terms—being endorsed at several centres.
However, it was gathered that the consensus arrangements did not hold in multiple locations, as some aggrieved aspirants and their supporters resisted the process, insisting that direct primaries should be conducted in line with earlier party resolutions. They referenced comments attributed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, that primaries should hold where consensus fails.
At the Adiasim Ikot Ata Enin Ward Centre in Essien Udim Local Government Area, tension reportedly rose as violence was narrowly averted when aspirant for Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Mr. Erikan Tom, rejected the consensus arrangement, arguing that it could not replace a formal primary election.
Organisers, however, maintained that the internal party decision had already been reached and must be respected.
Addressing journalists and supporters, Tom appealed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the APC National Chairman, and President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the process contradicted the party’s guidelines on consensus failure.
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, however, there was celebration as incumbent lawmaker Clement Jimbo defeated fresh aspirant Mr. Iboro Johnny in a keenly contested exercise.
At the time of filing this report, returning officers were reportedly preparing to announce party nominees based on arrangements reached by party stakeholders and leaders in the state, including Governor Umo Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
