Michael Bush, a former ally the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who once served the immediate past governor, Deacon Udom Emmanuel as a special assistant, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and wants to unseat his former friend through the support of the common people in the state.
Bush, a journalist and media owner, recently announced his candidacy in a Facebook post, citing the need for urgent intervention in the state’s development.
Even though he is not known to be a money bag, and not also known to have one behind him, Bush believes he has all it takes to defeat Eno in 2027.
Hi decision comes amid internal divisions within the PDP, after Eno had defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2025. The PDP, a faction of which is led by the governor’s ally, Mr Aniekan Akpan, has since endorsed Eno as its sole gubernatorial candidate for 2027, making Bush’s challenge an uphill task.
In a recent interview, Bush expressed confidence in his chances, stating that he was not deterred by Eno’s incumbency and emphasized the need for access to governance, healthcare, education, and economic opportunities for Akwa Ibom residents.
Bush’s campaign, dubbed “IDORENYIN Akwa Ibom (Divine Agenda 2027–2031),” aims to prioritize inclusive governance and ensure citizens have greater access to government and leadership. He criticized the monetization of Nigeria’s electoral process, saying leadership shouldn’t be determined by financial strength.
As a PDP chieftain, Bush is aligned with the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the party, which has seen its share of internal conflicts. Despite this, he remains committed to rebuilding the party, while Eno is said to be enjoying the silent support of the Nyesom Wike faction of the PDP which Akpan is a part of.
Governor Eno has announced his deputy, Akon Eyakenyi, as his running mate for 2027, but it is not yet clear who his running mate would be. But he is so far mobilising support from the public whom he said were not happy with the governor.
It is also believed that funding for the project may be coming from foreign donors and those in the country, as he is believed to have got so much unspent social capital. His focus appears to be the electrification of all parts of the state.
