The Labour Party governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom, Michael Bush, has chosen Udofa Assam, an estate surveyor and valuer, as the spokesperson for his campaign.
Mr Bush made the announcement during a Facebook Live session on Sunday.
Udofa, from Eket Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, is the younger brother of Assam Assam. Assam was a Nigerian ambassador to Russia and is a close friend of Governor Umo Eno.
Mr Assam, SAN, was the director-general of Mr Eno’s 2023 governorship campaign. He still works closely with Governor Eno and is known at state events as the “Director-General of Government Business.”
This appointment connects Mr Bush’s campaign with a political family linked to the current governor’s 2023 campaign. Mr Bush was a strong supporter of Mr Eno during that election.
In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Udofa talked about his new role as a challenge that needs fresh ideas for Akwa Ibom.
“It is a challenge that has to be overcome because the state has to move from where we are, and we need fresh hands to move the state forward,” he said.
He added, “There has been a lot of recycling; people who have no new ideas have been sitting tight and not bringing any new ideas. It is a challenge that I have to work out for the good of the campaign coalition.”
His new role brings an interesting political situation. While his brother supports Mr Eno, Udofa will now represent Mr Bush’s campaign against the sitting governor.
When asked if this could cause a conflict of interest, Mr Udofa said no.
“No. My brother is serving the state, and I am also coming up to serve the state. We are all serving the state together but on different platforms. It would not bring any clash,” he explained.
He pointed to the relationship between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his nephew, Prince Akpabio, to show that politicians from different parties can still be family.
Prince Akpabio initially did not join his uncle in the APC in 2018 when Akpabio left the PDP. He later got elected into the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in 2023 as a PDP member, while Senator Akpabio won a Senate seat with the APC. Prince later joined the APC with Governor Eno and got the party’s ticket for a second term.
Mr Udofa believes this shows that family political differences do not always mean conflict.
Mr Bush’s rise as the LP candidate came after a change in his political ties with Mr Eno. He was once a PDP member and helped promote Mr Eno’s 2023 campaign.
Mr Bush led a support group for ward leaders for Mr Eno and featured him on radio and TV shows produced by his media company, Bush House.
However, their relationship soured after Mr Eno switched from the PDP to the APC in 2025. In November 2025, Mr Bush accused Mr Eno of “deceit” over his “Akwa Ibom United” slogan after the governor changed parties. He wanted an apology and said the 2027 election would show if the people prefer “honesty or deception.”
Mr Bush then left the PDP and joined the LP, winning the party's governorship primary in May.
Mr Udofa shared what Mr Bush stands for to voters. He said the candidate is presenting himself as a choice for change.
“Mr Bush is offering himself as an instrument of change and that it is left for the people to say yes, ‘We’ve seen that you can do it for us,’” he stated.
Mr Bush has said his planned administration will focus on inclusion, justice, and good governance. He has also shared policy ideas, including affordable housing, support for fishers, and other initiatives as part of his campaign.
Mr Udofa’s appointment comes as political parties and candidates ramp up preparations for the 2027 governorship election in Akwa Ibom.
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