Umo Eno

Umo Eno is the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. A businessman and pastor, he was little known in politics until Governor Udom Emmanuel chose him as the PDP’s candidate to succeed him in 2023. He moved to the APC in June 2025 and is its candidate for a second term.¹²

Early life and career

Eno was born on 24 April 1964 in Nsit Ubium. He studied public administration at the University of Uyo. After working at Union Bank and in the private sector, he founded the Royalty group of companies, which runs hotels and other businesses, and a church, All Nations Christian Ministry International.¹

Political career

Udom Emmanuel appointed him Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in 2021. He left the cabinet in 2022 to run for governor.¹

He won the March 2023 election for the PDP. The APC’s Akanimo Udofia, the YPP’s Bassey Albert and the NNPP’s John Udoedehe challenged the result, but the tribunal, the Court of Appeal and, on 11 January 2024, the Supreme Court upheld his victory.³

Governor (2023–present)

Eno governs under his “ARISE” agenda, which focuses on agriculture, rural development, infrastructure, security and education. His government points to rural roads, the expansion of the state-owned Ibom Air and investment in the airport as signature achievements; opposition parties dispute how much has been delivered.¹⁴

In February 2025 his wife, Patience Eno, died.⁵

Move to the APC

On 6 June 2025 Eno announced that he was joining the APC, a move that cost the PDP its traditional South-South stronghold.¹ In May 2026 he won the APC governorship primary for 2027 and kept Akon Eyakenyi as his running mate.²

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