The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has officially adopted Governor Umo Eno as its sole governorship candidate for the 2026 general elections, ahead of the party primaries.
At a key meeting on Wednesday, party members also selected Nelson Ntia, Senator Ekong Sampson, and Dr. Eunice Thomas as the consensus candidates for the State House of Assembly, Senate, and House of Representatives, respectively.
The resolutions were announced in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh. The meeting, which was attended by key stakeholders, took place at the residence of the party’s political leader in Onna, Dr. Pat Ifon.
During the meeting, Onna APC Chairman, Tom Nkanang, urged party members to remain united and focus on securing victory in the upcoming elections. He called for strategic positioning and appealed to disgruntled members to “sheath their swords” and work collectively for the party’s success at the polls.
Dr. Pat Ifon, the political leader of the party in Onna, emphasized that the meeting’s purpose was to communicate the leadership’s decisions and prepare members for both the primaries and the general elections. He confirmed that Governor Eno had instructed party members to avoid internal conflicts and stay united to ensure an “overwhelming victory.”
Ifon formally announced the adoption of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, Senator Ekong Sampson, Dr. Eunice Thomas, and Elder Nelson Ntia as consensus candidates for various positions. He noted that Governor Eno had conducted extensive consultations within the party and stressed that preparations for the elections must begin immediately.
The meeting also saw strong support for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with calls for party members to pray for his success at the polls and his subsequent election as Senate President.
State Commissioner for Finance, Emem Bob, acknowledged that he initially supported Nung Ndem for the House of Assembly candidacy, but ultimately aligned with the consensus decision to adopt Nelson Ntia. “As a loyal party man, I have decided to set aside my personal agitation and support the party’s decision,” Bob said.
Dr. Owoideghe Ekpottai further endorsed Ntia, highlighting his long-standing contributions to the party. Dr. Nse Essien praised Governor Eno for the consensus process and commended Dr. Pat Ifon for his inclusive leadership, which ensured stakeholders were well-represented in the decision-making.
Other stakeholders, including Barr. Ini Ikott, Dr. Kufre Akpabio, Bassey Willie, and Hon. Godwin Oton, also expressed their support for the resolutions and urged the party leadership to reconcile any remaining differences ahead of the elections.
