UYO – The stage is now set as former Senator representing Akwa Ibom North East (Uyo) Senatorial District, John James Akpanudoedehe has won the ADC Governorship ticket on Saturday.

Senator Akpan-Udoedehe polled 66,099 votes to defeat his rival, Barrister Mfon Peter who garnered a paltry 103 votes.

The Senator again threw his hat into the governorship ring for third consecutive time on Saturday, after emerging as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections in Akwa Ibom State.

A seasoned politician with long history of political contests across different platforms, secured a landslide victory at the party’s governorship primary held in Uyo.

Chairman of the primary election committee, Mr. Titus Ejor, who announced the result, described the exercise as peaceful, transparent and in compliance with the guidelines of the party.

Speaking shortly after his emergence, the former National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared that, the 2027 governorship race would be a decisive battle to “rescue Akwa Ibom from poverty and poor governance.”

“The people are tired of excuses. By 2027, we will return power to the people and deliver the development Akwa Ibom deserves,” he declared.

Akpanudoedehe accused the administration of Governor Umo Eno of failing to translate the state’s abundant resources into meaningful economic prosperity for the people, alleging that hardship and unemployment had worsened under the present government.

“You have spread poverty in the midst of plenty. You have turned young men into old men with grey hairs through hardship and bad policies. We are coming with policies that will reposition the state for prosperity and development,” he stated.

The ADC governorship candidate said his administration, if elected, would focus on economic revival, youth empowerment, job creation and infrastructural development across the 31 local government areas of the state.

Akpanudoedehe’s latest political move marks another chapter in his long and turbulent political career spanning over two decades.

A former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, he has remained one of the most visible opposition figures in Akwa Ibom politics.

Over the years, he had contested major elections on different political platforms, beginning with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he served in several capacities before defecting to the Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and later the APC.

In 2015, he contested the Akwa Ibom governorship election under the APC platform against former Governor Udom Emmanuel but lost amid intense political tension and allegations of electoral irregularities.

He again remained a major opposition force within the APC and was later appointed Secretary of the party’s National Caretaker Committee chaired by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

Political analysts believe his emergence on the ADC platform may reshape the political equation in Akwa Ibom ahead of 2027, especially at a time when smaller political parties are seeking stronger relevance in the national political landscape.

Observers, however, note that Akpanudoedehe faces an uphill task against Governor Umo Eno, whose administration continues to enjoy the structure and dominance of the APC in the state.

They also argue that the ADC currently lacks the widespread grassroots structure and electoral strength enjoyed by the ruling APC.

Nonetheless, supporters of the former senator insist that his political experience, statewide visibility, and strong opposition credentials could make him a formidable challenger if he succeeds in building broad alliances across party lines before the election.

With the battle lines gradually being drawn, the 2027 governorship contest in Akwa Ibom is already shaping up as another fierce political showdown between the ruling APC and a resurgent opposition led by one of the state’s most outspoken political actor, Senator John James Akpan-Udoedeghe.