A former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State and prominent stakeholder in the Eket Senatorial District, Obong Nsima Ekere, has declared that Senate President Godswill Akpabio must not only return to the Senate in 2027 but must also be supported to retain his position as President of the Senate.
Speaking over the weekend at the Eket Senatorial District Stakeholders Meeting held at the Eket City Hall in Eket Local Government Area, Obong Ekere described Akpabio’s emergence as the nation’s number three citizen as an unprecedented feat that must be preserved and consolidated.
“We also know that in this state, we have a son of the soil, incidentally the number three man in the country, the President of the Senate. We have never in this state had a number three man in this country,” Ekere reminded the gathering.
He emphasized that the rare privilege of producing the Senate President comes with the responsibility of ensuring its continuity.
“We have to support him to go back to the Senate and continue as the President of the Senate. We draw inspiration from him, and we thank God for the life of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio. We also thank Mr. President for finding him fit and capable of manning the National Assembly,” he asserted.
The former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) added that Akpabio’s retention of the Senate Presidency is non-negotiable for the state at large, given the relevance it offers Akwa Ibom State.
Obong Ekere also threw his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno, declaring that they also deserve another term in office based on their outstanding performance.
He called on the people of the district to evaluate leadership based on tangible achievements rather than sentiments, stressing that President Tinubu has worked tirelessly to reset the nation’s economy and restore hope.
“This administration has renewed the hope of Nigerians. For those of you who follow the economic indices, look at the developmental achievements and other economic impacts, you would see that this president has worked very hard for this country and deserves all our recommendation.
“Every election cycle should serve as a referendum on the performance of the people that we sent there. And for us as a senatorial district, how do we see Mr. President? I know we are also benefiting from the coastal road. I’m sure as a senatorial district, we will give him more recommendations and go-ahead, and endorse him for another four years in office,” he asserted.
At the state level, he commended Governor Eno for what he described as a unique governance model that ensures efficiency and accountability.
“Back in Akwa Ibom State, we have a performing governor. We have a god-fearing governor. I told people in Abuja the other day that Akwa Ibom State is the only state where I see the calibre of governance that we see in the private sector being practiced in the state government.”
He continued: “Have you heard of the monthly delivery meetings? Which other state government in this country does that? There’s none! God has blessed us with a governor who is leading with the fear of God. He has delivered in the health sector, in infrastructure, in education and in several other areas. I know I am speaking the mind of this senatorial district,” Ekere asserted.
Furthermore, the 2019 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the permission of the stakeholders, announced Chief Assam Assam, SAN, as the new political leader of Eket Senatorial District.
The stakeholders, through a motion moved by Hon. (Barr.) Bassey Dan-Abia Jnr and seconded by Mkpisong Chelly Okoko, threw the contest for the Eket Senatorial District seat in 2027 open for interested aspirants.
The resolution emphasized that all eligible contestants for the position must emerge from Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency.
