The people of Akwa Ibom Northwest (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial Districts have adopted the president of the 10th Senate, Chief Godswill Akpabio as their sole candidate for the 2027 senatorial race.
This was done in a motion moved by the Honourable Minister of State(Gas) Petroleum Resources, Ekperikpe Ekpo and seconded by the member representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Patric Umoh during the grand reception of the Senate President on Saturday.
According to Ekpo, “The people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district are saying, based on what you have done in the past and what you are about to do, that come 2027, no body born of a woman will buy a form from any political party to contest this seat.
“Beyond performance, Akpabio is a man with uncommon grace,therefore, I move that he will be the single candidate for the senate.”
Addressing his people, Senator Akpabio expressed gratitude for the reception and the adoption saying that he would not take such gesture for granted.
He also commended the governor, pastor Umo Eno of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, describing him as a unifier and an apostle of peace even as he pledged his commitment in drawing federal presence to the state and ensuring that the governor succeeds.
His words, “The National Assembly will work with you for you to succeed as governor, irrespective of political party lines. You have received the Federal Government with smiles, we will receive you in Abuja with benefits of democracy for your people.
“I’m not telling you to join our party but continue to work with God and we will support you to succeed. You want to see federal projects in the state, you’ll see more than federal projects.
“On behalf of my colleagues, we want to tell governor Umo Eno, well-done and carry on, the advice there is that you came into office as a Pastor, don’t leave as a mister. Since I am the grandfather of the governor and the governor is my grandson so I must bless him to succeed.”
In his remarks, governor Umo Eno conveyed the felicitations of Akwa Ibom people and government to the Senate president saying that the event was a testament that Akwa Ibom people are joyfully united to support and celebrate their own.
He stressed that as a minority in the federation, Akwa Ibom people cannot afford to be divided nor trade the benefits that should follow the rare opportunity of having an indigene of the state in one of the highest offices in the nation, over political differences.
“My presence here as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State conveys the wishes of Government and people of the State on this occasion. When a man is celebrated at home, he will definitely be celebrated by outsiders and this is the statement Ikot Ekpene and indeed Akwa Ibom people have made today.
“Your ascension to the seat of the Senate President is for all of us to celebrate. It is my avowed commitment that as Akwa Ibomites, we will continue to celebrate all our sons and daughters that God has raised in their various fields of endeavours because first, they fly the Akwa Ibom flag and the Akwa Ibom blood runs in them. We may be from different political parties, but we are first of all, Akwa Ibom and as Akwa Ibomites, we are united,” he said.
Highpoint of the event was the conferment of exemplary leadership award by the people Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district to governor Umo Eno through the former Chief Judge, Justice Godwin Abraham.
