UYO—Senator John Udoedeghe has emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Akwa Ibom governorship election, pledging to defeat Governor Umo Eno in 2027.
Udoedeghe was announced as the winner of the party’s primary election conducted on Saturday after polling 66,099 votes, defeating his rival, Barr. Mfon Peter, who garnered 103 votes during the exercise.
Chairman of the Primaries Election Committee, Mr. Titus Ejor, who disclosed the outcome on Sunday evening in Uyo, stated that the exercise was peaceful and carried out according to ADC guidelines.
Reacting to his victory, the former National Secretary of the Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said his emergence signaled the yearning of Akwa Ibom people for change and responsible leadership.
“The people are tired of excuses. By 2027, we will return power to the people and deliver the development Akwa Ibom deserves,” he said.
Udoedeghe, a former senator who represented Akwa Ibom North East, explained that his campaign would prioritise economic recovery, youth empowerment, and infrastructure development across the 31 local government areas of the state.
He criticised Governor Eno’s administration for “spreading poverty in the midst of abundance”, stressing that his administration would introduce strong policies aimed at repositioning the state for growth and prosperity.
“I am not in your government; I am an opposition person who wants to take power from you. I want to hold you accountable, so you don’t need me to be friendly with you.
“You have spread poverty in the midst of plenty, you have turned out young men to old men with gray hairs.
“You have stressed out people with bad policies. You don’t have a policy to make our people move away from poverty, that’s why we want to change you,” Udoedeghe added.
