The President of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno are actively preparing for their reelection campaigns leading up to the 2027 general elections. This recent development unfolded when the residents of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district officially endorsed Akpabio as the sole candidate for the upcoming senatorial race in 2027.
During the endorsement event, Akpabio emphasized that the district’s decision to have only one candidate in 2027 implied that he was the chosen representative without any competition from others within the district. Additionally, the attendees at the event praised Governor Umo Eno for fostering unity and peace within his administration and with his predecessors.
Despite the previously strained relationship between former governor Udom Emmanuel and Senator Godswill Akpabio, Governor Eno has actively sought to build a strong alliance with the senator to overcome any political challenges. Eno, in turn, urged the people of Akwa Ibom Northwest to support him as the sole candidate for the governorship election in 2027, following the endorsement of Akpabio as the sole senatorial candidate.
This political maneuvering can be seen as a strategic exchange, where Akpabio, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), will face no opposition in the 2027 elections, while Governor Umo Eno, the leader of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, will not have any contenders from the main opposition party. Eno expressed gratitude for the support from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district and pledged to serve for another eight years before passing the baton.
Referring to Akpabio as his “political grandfather,” Eno acknowledged the benefits of their alliance and expressed confidence in receiving support and guidance from the seasoned politician. Akpabio reciprocated by committing to collaborate with Governor Eno to achieve their shared goals, emphasizing that he would not pressure Eno to switch parties to the APC.
A different version of the text could be: In his statement, he emphasized that he was not pressuring anyone to join their party, but rather encouraging them to continue working with God. He assured them that their party would provide support for their success.
He also mentioned that if they wanted to see more federal projects in the state, they would not be disappointed. He further stated that the National Assembly would collaborate with them, regardless of political party affiliations, to ensure their success as governor. He expressed that just as they had welcomed the Federal Government with open arms, they would also be welcomed in Abuja with the benefits of democracy for their people.
If Akpabio’s promises are to be believed, it suggests that the rumors of Senator Bassey Akpan defecting to the APC to become the governorship candidate in the 2027 elections may not be true. It is speculated that the senate president’s close relationship with the governor may influence the APC to support Governor Eno’s second term bid, as long as the PDP fulfills their part of the agreement by not fielding any senatorial candidate in Akwa Ibom Northwest.
There is a belief that Senator Akpan, also known as OBA, may not compete against Gov Eno in the 2027 polls as initially expected, but instead may be offered a ministerial position as compensation.
However, it is not yet certain that Akpabio will be the sole candidate for Akwa Ibom Northwest in the 2027 Senatorial elections, as the ruling PDP has announced its intention to field a candidate for the senatorial race.
The PDP has stated that they are working diligently to find a competent candidate who will challenge the current representative in the polls.
The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Borono Bassey, clarified that the event at the Ikot Ekpene stadium was solely an APC event and should not be mistaken as the official position of the PDP. He emphasized that the PDP would indeed field a candidate for the 2027 senatorial seat.
Pastor Umo Eno’s attendance at the APC event was seen as a demonstration of his bipartisan approach to governance, unrelated to the PDP’s position in the 2027 elections. The speaker emphasized that their party will field a candidate for the upcoming election and expressed confidence in their candidate’s victory.
They acknowledged that the event was primarily an APC gathering, allowing them to make declarations and express their desires.
The party is actively working towards winning the elections by engaging in strategic planning and conducting statewide ward meetings. It was emphasized that the governor’s current actions are focused on governance rather than engaging in politics.
The governor’s bipartisan stance signifies that he considers himself the governor of all Akwa Ibom residents and individuals conducting legitimate business in the state, deserving of celebration and protection.
The governor’s priority is to ensure the safety of lives and property. The speaker urged the distinction between governance and politics, stating that when the time for politics arrives, the party will present their candidate. The governor explicitly stated that he will be the governor of Akwa Ibom State, not just the governor for the PDP.
