By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Former governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe has won the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship primary election in Akwa Ibom State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the results of ADC’s governorship primary election announced in Uyo on Sunday evening by Mr. Titus Eyo, chairman of the ADC primary election committee in Akwa Ibom, Sen. Akpanudoedehe scored 66,099 votes to defeat his opponent Mr. Mfon Peters, who scored 103 votes.
The election of Sen. Akpanudoedehe as the ADC governorship candidate was conducted through a direct primary on 22 May across the 31 local government areas of the state.
Eyo, who commended the delegates for conducting themselves orderly, devoid of violence during the exercise, advised those who didn’t win to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship, saying, “tomorrow may be their turn”.
In his victory speech, Sen. Akpanudoedehe sent a message to Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom and the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state. “I am in opposition; I want to take power from you. I want to hold you accountable; you don’t need me to be friendly with you. Take note of that.”
He alleged that Governor Eno’s administration has impoverished Akwa Ibom people despite the huge oil money accruing to the state from the federation accounts.
“You have spread poverty in the midst of plenty, you have turned our young men into old men with grey hairs, you don’t have a policy to move our people away from poverty,” he said, drawing applause from the crowd.
Speaking earlier with journalists in Uyo, Sen. Akpanudoedehe had dismissed the allegation making the rounds in the state that he was known for selling previous elections at the detriment of his massive supporters.
According to him, the allegations that he could be financially induced by any government or political actor to undermine opposition forces in the state were merely blackmail, “that was never true but championed by government of the day to attack his credibility before the electorate in the state.
“I have never compromised electoral mandates for personal gain. No, the accusation is absolutely not true. It is a blackmail by the power that be just to discredit my person before my supporters, indeed the electorate. I have never sold elections to anyone,
“There is no government in Akwa Ibom State, past or present, that can pay me N100 million to compromise. If they attempt it, they will only be empowering their enemy,” he stated.
Akpanudoedehe said his decision to join the governorship race on the platform of the ADC was driven by the need to provide credible leadership and offer residents a viable political alternative, anchored on integrity, accountability, and development.
He added that despite never occupying the office of governor, he had achieved personal success, stressing that his ambition was motivated by a desire to address hunger, unemployment, hardship, and other socio-economic challenges in the state.
“I have all I need in life, including cars, houses and other things. I am coming into this election for my people and the growth of Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
