The 2026 All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Akwa Ibom State have continued to generate widespread political attention across the state and beyond, with many stakeholders describing the exercise as unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The primaries, which witnessed massive participation of party faithful across the 31 local government areas of the state, were largely peaceful and coordinated, marking a sharp departure from the tension, factional disputes and post-primary crises that have often characterised political exercises in many parts of the country.
Political leaders and stakeholders who monitored the process said the conduct of the primaries reflected growing political maturity, internal coordination and stronger grassroots participation within the APC structure in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking on the significance of the exercise, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, described the primaries as a demonstration of unity, inclusiveness and collective political responsibility among party members and stakeholders.
According to the Governor, the orderly conduct of the exercise across the state showed that political actors in Akwa Ibom were increasingly embracing dialogue, peace and cooperation in the interest of democratic stability and development.
Related: I Remain Committed to Good Governance – Gov Eno Restates as he Wins APC Nomination
Also reacting to the outcome of the primaries, Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi commended party faithful for their peaceful participation and discipline throughout the process. She noted that the large turnout recorded in several wards and local government areas reflected growing public confidence in the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Secretary to the State Government, Enobong Uwah, described the exercise as a major political milestone for the state, stressing that the level of organisation and stakeholder coordination witnessed during the primaries demonstrated effective grassroots mobilisation and internal party stability.
Similarly, the Akwa Ibom APC Chairman, Stephen Ntokekpo, said the successful conduct of the primaries confirmed the readineparty’s readinesse 2027 electoral contest. He praised party leaders, aspirants and supporters for embracing consensus, dialogue and unity throughout the process.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, also described the primaries as historic, noting that the level of political harmony and coordination witnessed during the exercise was unprecedented in the democrastate’s tic history of the state.
According to Akpabio, the successful conduct of the primaries further demonstrated the growing strength and acceptance of the APC in Akwa Ibom State.
One of the major highlights of the exercise was the structure adopted during the Presidential Primary process in the state. In what many political stakeholders described as a unique political arrangement, the Governor served as the Collation Officer for the Presidential Primary in Akwa Ibom State, while Local Government Council Chairmen, political leaders and other stakeholders acted as Returning Officers across the various local government areas.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Udo, said the active involvement of council chairmen in the process reflected the strong synergy between the grassroots political structure and the state leadership of the party.
He noted that the arrangement deepened participation at the local level and strengthened confidence among party faithful across the state.
The primaries also witnessed increased political realignments as several politicians, community leaders and supporters from different political backgrounds joined the APC ahead of the exercise. The development significantly expanded the party’s grassroots reach and strengthened its political presence in several parts of the state.
In many wards across Uyo and other local government areas, large crowds of party faithful were seen participating in the exercise, a development analysts say reflects growing political interest and increased acceptance of the APC among the electorate.
The smooth handling of the primaries and the ability of party leaders to manage competing interests without major disagreements or post-primary tensions further reinforced the image of the APC as a united and organised political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The 2026 APC primaries in Akwa Ibom State as experienced will continue to play a major role in shaping the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, with many political leaders describing the exercise as the beginning of a new phase in the state’s democratic evolution.
From the peaceful conduct of the exercise to the level of stakeholder coordination, grassroots mobilisation and political participation recorded across the state, the primaries have continued to stand out as one of the most remarkable political developments in Akwa Ibom State in recent years.
Charles Akpan writes from Ikot Eda Uyai in Anua Offot, Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
