Fresh crisis has erupted within the African Democratic Congress in Akwa Ibom State after two governorship aspirants, Eyakekpono Obo and John Udoedeghe, emerged from separate processes ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The development has thrown the party into internal turmoil, with both camps laying claim to the governorship ticket, raising fears of a prolonged legal and political battle within the state chapter of the party.
The crisis further intensified after another governorship aspirant, Mfon Peter, rejected the outcome of the primary that produced Udoedeghe and vowed to challenge the process.
Speaking with journalists in Uyo on Wednesday, Peter alleged widespread voter disenfranchisement, manipulation, and electoral malpractice during the exercise conducted by the party.
“Sincerely, I reject that result in its entirety. That result is completely false, and I reject it with all that I have. It is completely concocted,” he said.
Peter claimed he was completely excluded from the governorship primary process despite actively participating from the beginning.
“I was with the ADC primary election committee at 6 PM on Friday. By 7 PM, they told me they were in my ward. I arrived at my ward in Ibiono Ibom and saw them. At what time were they able to conduct elections in the 349 wards in Akwa Ibom State and in 31 local government areas?” he queried.
According to him, elections were allegedly not conducted in several local government areas across the state.
“Apart from the fact that elections were not conducted in more than 20 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, they rescheduled the election for Saturday, May 23, without informing me or my supporters,” he alleged.
Peter further claimed that neither he nor his agents participated in the process that eventually produced the result announced by the party’s Primary Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr Titus Ejoor.
“I wasn’t in the field, my supporters were not in the field, but the election results were published. That is why I reject the results. None of my agents signed those result sheets because I was completely excluded,” he stated.
He also accused his rival of allegedly influencing members of the electoral committee.
“My opponent, all he did was carry the election committee members along, driving them from one place to another to ensure that they did what they did to secure that kind of false victory. But it won’t stand,” Peter alleged.
The governorship aspirant further argued that the process violated the party’s official electoral guidelines.
“The party guidelines state that accreditation starts at 8 AM and ends at 12 noon. From 12 noon, the election starts and ends by 2 PM. Ask him when did the election commence?” he asked.
Peter maintained that the alleged irregularities had damaged the credibility of the exercise and warned that the matter could end up in court if the party leadership fails to act.
“I know that the Appeal Committee, when they look at the facts and evidence before them, will have no other option but to nullify the election so that we can go back to the polls. If they fail to do so, I will seriously litigate this process,” he said.
The dispute has left many party members worried about unity within the ADC in Akwa Ibom State, especially as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What You Should Know
The African Democratic Congress has recently witnessed growing internal tensions in several states following its expansion ahead of the 2027 elections.
In Akwa Ibom State, the emergence of rival governorship candidates now threatens to weaken the party’s structure and create deeper divisions within its ranks.
Political observers believe unresolved primary disputes often affect opposition parties ahead of major elections, especially when allegations of manipulation and exclusion surface.
The crisis also comes at a time when the ADC is trying to position itself as a stronger alternative political platform nationally amid ongoing coalition talks involving several opposition figures across Nigeria.
