The people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District have unanimously adopted the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, as the sole candidate of all political parties for the 2027 election.
This decision was made during a public reception held at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, organised by the senatorial district to honour Akpabio’s achievements as Senate President, News About Nigeria reports.
The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, who is from the district, moved the motion for Akpabio’s adoption, which was seconded by Hon. Patrick Umoh, House of Representatives member representing Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, Obot Akara Federal Constituency.
The motion was widely accepted through a voice vote, with the crowd affirming their support for Akpabio’s candidacy.
Ekpo praised Akpabio as a father, role model, and a man of grace who has served the state and senatorial district meritoriously.
He cited Akpabio’s decision to allow Senator Aloysius Etuk run for two terms in the same senatorial district, saying, “Will we not allow such a man to go for another term? We know that even if you sleep and an election is conducted, you will win, but the people have mandated me to ask you that come 2027, nobody will buy any form to contest that seat from any of the political parties in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district…the people have told me to inform you that.”
Ekpo thanked the large crowd for their turnout, saying Akpabio deserved all the honour and felicitations from the people. He also commended the peaceful disposition of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to governance, urging Akpabio to partner with Eno for the development of the state.
Ekpo described Eno as a “shepherd that should be celebrated” and implored Akpabio not to listen to those who come to him to blackmail and backbite the governor.
Akpabio, who won the senatorial election in Akwa Ibom North-west District in 2023, defeated his closest rival, Emmanuel Enoidem of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with 115,401 votes to 69,838 votes.
Prior to the 2023 election, Akpabio lost his bid to return to the Senate for a second term in 2019, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner.
