The Labour Party governorship primary election in Akwa Ibom State has sparked fresh internal tensions within the opposition party.
Reports indicate that at the end of the exercise with Labour Party held on May 30, 2026, two different candidates, Emmanuel Ben and Michael Bush, were declared winners from separate venues.
The faction that produced Emmanuel Ben held its primary at Port Harcourt Street, off Abak Road, under the supervision of individuals presented as INEC officials, led by Mrs. Vivian Oladipo.
Akwa Ibom State Labour Party chairman, Comrade Lincoln Charles, told journalists that Ben remains the party’s authentic governorship candidate. He explained that Ben was the only aspirant who purchased the nomination form and was screened by the national leadership, describing other claims as illegitimate.
“I understand that there are imposters which INEC does not recognise. The governorship candidate of this party is Emmanuel Friday Ben who has just emerged from the just-concluded primaries,” he said.
He added that anyone outside that process is neither recognised by INEC nor the Labour Party in Akwa Ibom State.
In contrast, the electoral committee chairman of the Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party faction, Dr. Kingsley Okundaye, dismissed Emmanuel Ben’s emergence, insisting that Michael Bush is the valid governorship candidate.
According to him, Ben’s primary lacked legitimacy as he was not cleared by the party’s national screening committee. He also argued that the recognised leadership of the party follows the Supreme Court judgment that removed the Abure-led faction and affirmed Senator Nenadi Usman as national chairman.
“There was only one legitimate and authentic state primary which I chaired at the instance of the national chairman, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman,” Okundaye said.
He maintained that only the national leadership has the legal authority to present candidates to INEC.
Meanwhile, other opposition parties in the state are also experiencing internal disputes as their primary elections conclude.
In the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), governorship aspirant Barrister Mfon Peter was accused of being backed by the ruling party to destabilize the opposition. However, his rival, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, emerged winner of the primary.
Peter has since rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities and disenfranchisement of his supporters. He also announced that he has filed a petition before the party’s governorship election appeal committee, calling for the annulment of the exercise and a fresh primary.
Similarly, Dr. Tom Fredfish, an APM House of Representatives candidate for Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, raised concerns over alleged infiltration of opposition parties by officials of the Akwa Ibom State Government. He urged the judiciary to remain impartial and ensure justice is served, while encouraging genuine candidates not to be discouraged.
He warned that undermining democratic processes by limiting credible alternatives could be dangerous for democracy, insisting that “with time, the fake ones will fade away.”
