By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
Minister of State for Petroleum(Gas), Chief Ekperikpe Ekpo and stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Akwa Ibom have endorsed the re-election of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for another term in the Senate.
Ekpo has also called on Akpabio to support, defend and protect Governor Umo Eno’s political aspirations and government from blackmailers and aggressors.
The Minister who made the endorsement at a grand reception for Akpabio by the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District at Ikot Ekpene last weekend also called on other political parties not to field candidates for the position in 2027.
He said the Senate President has been a performer at all levels are and should be allowed to continue in office to protect the interest of the area and continue with his uniting role in the politics of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria as a whole.
He appealed to Akpabio to ensure that Governor Umo Eno, who he described as a man of peace,though of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, be supported to deliver democracy dividends to the state and continue in his role of unitying and supporting Akwa Ibom people irrespective of party affiliation.
Ekpo said the reception was organised to recognize the fatherly role Akpabio has continued to play for the people of the area over the years and urged the people to continue to pray for him in his quest to use the National Assembly to pull Nigeria out of hardship.
Addressing his people, Akpabio, expressed gratitude for the reception, describing it as a gesture he cannot take for granted.
The Senate President maintained that he has used his time in public office to build people and structures especially in Akwa Ibom and called for prayers and support for President Bola Tinubu in his bid to build a stable and enduring economy for the people of Nigeria.
Affirming Eno as a unifier and an apostle of peace and unity, Akpabio assured of the support of the National Assembly to ensure the success of his administration.
“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,” Akpabio pledged.” He said.
Eno who also received an award in recognition of the peaceful disposition of his government in his speech called for more work to unite the people and an endorsement of many more years of service beyond 2027.
The Governor described the event as a statement to Nigerians that Akwa Ibom people are joyfully united behind their own and that their illustrious people deserved to be celebrated.
According to him, “as a minority in Nigeria, Akwa Ibom people cannot afford to be divided nor trade the benefit 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.
