Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state will commence a month-long membership revalidation exercise beginning on August 4, 2025.
The initiative, which will involve the digital capturing of all members, is designed to strengthen party unity and create a more reliable register of party faithful across the state.
Eno made the announcement during his visit to the APC State Secretariat in Uyo yesterday, where he addressed a large gathering of party members and stakeholders.
A Call for Unity
Speaking at the event, the governor stressed the importance of harmony within the party, urging members to put aside lingering disputes and work collectively in the interest of Akwa Ibom.
“We cannot afford to allow internal divisions to distract us. The task before us is to unite as one family and focus on delivering real development for our people,” Eno declared, to the applause of party faithful.
He called on both long-standing members and new entrants to take part in the exercise, noting that an accurate, up-to-date membership register would not only strengthen the party but also prepare it for future electoral challenges.
Party insiders say the membership drive is expected to capture hundreds of thousands of members across Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas. Digital tools will be deployed to prevent duplication and to provide real-time updates for the party’s national secretariat.
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Support for Tinubu’s Reforms
Governor Eno used the opportunity to reaffirm his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly its economic reforms. He argued that the policies, though sometimes painful in the short term, are stabilising the national economy and creating the fiscal space needed to fund critical projects.
“Our President has taken bold steps to reset our economy, and as a party, we must stand firmly behind him. With unity and discipline, we can deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda and make life better for all Nigerians,” Eno said.
He further urged party members to support the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and all APC candidates in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
Building Party Structures
During the visit, the governor inaugurated a 10-member committee charged with overseeing the construction of a new APC State Secretariat in Uyo. The facility, he said, would reflect the party’s stature and provide a modern space for political coordination.
“We must give ourselves a befitting home — a secretariat that represents the values of discipline, unity, and service that the APC stands for,” Eno remarked.
Committee chairman, Engr. Imaobong Udoh, pledged that the team would deliver a functional and modern facility within the stipulated time.
The ARISE Agenda
Governor Eno also linked the revalidation exercise and party-building efforts to his administration’s ARISE Agenda, which emphasises agricultural development, rural empowerment, infrastructure expansion, security, and education. According to him, a strong and united APC is essential for sustaining the peace and progress his government is pursuing.
“Our mission is clear — to build a peaceful, united, and prosperous Akwa Ibom where everyone has a sense of belonging. The party must be the platform that drives this vision,” he said.
Political Implications
Political observers believe the exercise will serve as both a unifying mechanism and a mobilisation tool ahead of the 2027 elections. With Akwa Ibom traditionally seen as a battleground state, analysts say the APC will need a strong internal structure and a disciplined membership base if it is to challenge rival parties.
Chief Ekpenyong Effiong, a veteran party chieftain in Uyo, told reporters after the event that the revalidation exercise was “long overdue” and would “help eliminate ghost names, strengthen our base, and make the APC truly people-driven.”
Younger party members also welcomed the digital dimension of the exercise. One youth leader, Miss Idara Okon, noted that the process would “give young people confidence that their voices and votes actually count in the APC.”
Looking Ahead
As Akwa Ibom prepares for the 2027 polls, the APC’s ability to manage internal cohesion will be critical. Governor Eno’s call for discipline, unity, and commitment to national reforms reflects both the challenges and opportunities facing the ruling party in the state.
Whether the revalidation exercise succeeds in energising the base and reconciling factions remains to be seen. But with a fresh membership drive, plans for a new secretariat, and a call for loyalty to Tinubu’s reforms, the APC in Akwa Ibom is signalling that it intends to enter the next electoral cycle with renewed strength.
