Akwa Ibom 2027: Coffie leads Eno, others in online opinion poll

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State for the 2027 election, Engr. Emem Coffie has emerged as the leading choice in an online opinion survey conducted by media and publicity consultancy firm, Danik Communications Ltd.

According to the survey results released by the organisation, Coffie attracted more than 60 per cent of the collated responses from Akwa Ibom residents and other respondents participating in the online exercise.

The survey reportedly sought to identify the governorship candidate considered by respondents to have the strongest vision for the development of the state, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, education, skills acquisition, industrialisation and economic development.

Coffie was said to have received favourable responses from participants who described him as a principled and result-oriented personality with the political will to transform the state.

Some respondents also cited his reported investment in the education and development of young people, including scholarships for youths studying in various higher institutions across the country.

According to the survey report, respondents expressed the belief that Coffie could achieve more with public resources, having demonstrated what they described as a commitment to development through his personal investments and private-sector experience.

The incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, was said to have placed second in the online survey.

Danik Communications Ltd said the exercise was designed to gauge public preference among more than 20 governorship candidates representing various political parties ahead of the 2027 election.

Participants were reportedly encouraged to make their choices based on the overall well-being, development prospects and future of Akwa Ibom State, rather than partisan considerations or personal financial interests.

Coffie is a civil engineer, entrepreneur, project developer and politician with more than three decades of professional experience. He obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt in 1991 and is associated with several professional engineering bodies.

He is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Reticulated Global Group, Comatrix Finite Consults and Krasnovdar Baltarsar International Ltd, with business and project interests in Africa and beyond.

His professional career has included involvement in infrastructure and construction projects, while his proposed Akwa Ibom Reform Agenda focuses on infrastructure, industrialisation, agriculture, technology, MSME development, human capital development and public-private partnerships.

Coffie previously contested the Akwa Ibom governorship election in 2023 on the platform of the Accord Party. Ahead of the 2027 election, he sought the governorship ticket of the PDP and was reported to have received clearance and a provisional certificate from the party’s National Screening Committee.

The latest survey is an online opinion poll conducted by Danik Communications Ltd and should therefore be regarded as an indication of the preferences of participating respondents, rather than a scientific prediction of the outcome of the 2027 governorship election.