Governor Umo Eno has been adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State as its sole governorship candidate ahead of the party primaries and the forthcoming general elections.
The party also named Nelson Ntia, Senator Ekong Sampson, and Dr. Eunice Thomas as consensus candidates for the state House of Assembly, Senate, and House of Representatives, respectively.
According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Ekerete Udoh, the resolutions were made during an extended stakeholders’ and party members’ meeting held on Wednesday at the villa of the party’s political leader, Pat Ifon, in Onna.
Speaking during the meeting, Onna APC Chairman Tom Nkanang advised members to stay united ahead of the elections.
He said the party must “position itself strategically for victory in the forthcoming elections” and appealed to aggrieved members to “sheath their swords and work collectively toward the success of the party at the polls.”
In his remarks, Dr. Pat Ifon, the party’s political leader in Onna, stated that the meeting was called to discuss the party leadership’s policies and prepare members for the primaries and general elections.
According to him, Eno had instructed party members to avoid internal issues and stay together in order to secure an “overwhelming victory in the forthcoming elections.”
Ifon publicly declared the selection of President Bola Tinubu, Eno, Senator Ekong Sampson, Dr. Eunice Thomas, and Elder Nelson Ntia as consensus candidates for various electoral offices.
He added that the governor had consulted widely throughout the party and emphasized that “preparations for the elections must begin immediately.”
He also urged party members to pray for Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s triumph in the polls and subsequent election as senate president.
Also speaking, Emem Bob, the state commissioner for finance, stated that he first advocated for Nung Ndem to be the State House of Assembly candidate but that the party eventually settled on Nelson Ntia by consensus.
“As a loyal party man, I have decided to set aside my personal agitation and align with the decision of the party,” Bob said, urging members to support the adopted candidates in the interest of unity and electoral victory.
Dr. Owoideghe Ekpottai said Nelson Ntia “had completed the circle of those who had labored for the party and therefore deserved support.”
In his remarks, Dr. Nse Essien thanked Governor Eno for the consensual agreement and Dr. Pat Ifon for his “inclusive leadership style in carrying stakeholders along in decision-making.”
Other stakeholders, including Barr Ini Ikott, Dr. Kufre Akpabio, Bassey Willie, and Hon. Godwin Oton, supported the resolutions taken at the conference and urged the party leadership to reconcile disgruntled members before the elections.
