November 16 Campaign
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has announced November 16, 2026, as the commencement date for his second-term campaign, seeking the backing of traditional rulers as he prepares for the 2027 governorship election.
Eno made the announcement on Tuesday during a consultation with traditional rulers at the Traditional Rulers Chambers in Uyo, where he solicited their prayers, support and votes for his re-election.
The governor said the campaign would begin in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, describing the choice of the area as strategic and a mark of respect for his wife’s place of origin.
He urged the royal fathers to use their influence at the grassroots to promote political understanding, peace, unity and support for his administration’s development agenda.
Responding, the President-General of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Dr. Solomon Etuk, assured Eno of the traditional institution’s support for his second-term ambition.
Etuk commended the governor’s approach to governance, particularly his emphasis on due process in project execution, noting that awarding contracts against approved funds and making payments in line with established procedures would help minimise abandoned projects.
He also praised the administration for maintaining peace and extending welfare benefits to traditional rulers, expressing confidence that more support would be extended to the institution if Eno secured another term.
The Chairman of the State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Abak, HRM Akuku Saviour Udofia, as well as his immediate predecessor and Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko, HRM Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, also commended the governor’s leadership and assured him of their support.
They particularly cited community-based projects, welfare interventions for senior citizens and assistance to the traditional institution.
In his remarks, Eno assured the royal fathers of greater recognition and improved welfare in a second term, describing their contributions to peace and stability across their respective domains as essential to the state’s development.
He listed the provision of official vehicles, a coaster bus, personal assistants, quarterly medical assistance and 13th-month allowances among the welfare interventions introduced for traditional rulers.
The governor also used the meeting to clarify the Federal Government’s recent approval for the Ibom Deep Seaport, explaining that it went beyond permission to negotiate or obtain a licence.
According to him, the approval provides for Federal Government sovereign guarantee and equity participation, which he described as critical to attracting investors and advancing the project.
Eno urged Akwa Ibom people to support major development initiatives rather than join critics, citing the initial opposition to the Victor Attah International Airport and Ibom Air, which he said had since become valuable state assets.
He expressed optimism that the state would become a major investment destination before the end of his proposed second term in 2031.
The governor also solicited support for President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, said the traditional rulers could attest to the progress recorded by the administration, citing projects across the state’s wards.
He urged the royal fathers to sustain their support for the governor and communicate his administration’s achievements to their communities.
