Three years ahead of the next general election, the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has been endorsed as the sole candidate for the Akwa Ibom Northwest (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial district seat in 2027.

Akpabio was endorsed by thousands of his constituents who converged on the Ikot Ekpene township stadium during a grand reception in his honour at the weekend.

The motion for his adoption as the sole candidate for the 2027 senatorial district election was moved by the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, and seconded by the House of Representatives member for Ikot Ekpene federal constituency, Patrick Umoh.

Before moving the motion, Ekpo had appealed to intending Senate aspirants from all political parties to give up their aspirations and support Akpabio back to the National Assembly for the interests of the area, Akwa Ibom state, and Nigeria as a whole.

In his response, Akpabio thanked the people his constituents for the endorsement and promised to attract more dividends of democracy to his people.

“Your endorsement today as the sole candidate in the 2027 Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district election is a loud statement that the Independent National Electoral Commission should only sell form to Godswill Akpabio.

“I am using this occasion to solicit your continued support so that I can remain in the Senate beyond 2027 to enable me to continue to join hands with President Bola Tinubu to do a great job for Nigeria.

“The APC government is aware of the problems of Nigeria and it has the solution to the problems. President Tinubu has the solution to the problems of Nigeria.

“We will support you to succeed. If you want to attract federal projects to Akwa Ibom State, we will support you to achieve that.

“You came into office as a Pastor, don’t leave as a Mister. Hold on to that God that you worship, that God that you became a Pastor for He will see you through even after your tenure as governor.”

He commended Eno for setting aside political differences in his efforts to unite the state.

On his part, Governor Eno expressed gratitude to Senator Akpabio and the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District for the support they have given his administration and the award bestowed on him.

Governor Eno promised to redouble his efforts in bringing dividends of democracy to the people and to showcase Akwa Ibom State as a united State where the people speak with one voice.

In his goodwill message, Deputy Senate President, Senator Jubril Barau who led over 80 National Assembly members to the event, expressed the confidence of the legislators in the capacity of Senator Akpabio to lead them.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu described Senator Akpabio as a jinx breaker who broke the 59-year jinx to be elected as an Executive member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union from Nigeria.

He commended Senator Akpabio for the passage of the South East Development Commission Bill which he said when signed Into law will change the development paradigm of the region. (The Nation)

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