2027: Akpabio seeks Akwa Ibom support for Tinubu, Eno

By Henry Umoru ABUJA — President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called on the people of Akwa Ibom State to support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections. Akpabio secured the assurances during the presentation of Eno’s 2027 manifesto and the inauguration of the APC campaign council in Akwa Ibom State, held at the Banquet Hall of the newly commissioned Arise Palm Resort in Uyo.

According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio, who is the Grand Patron of the state’s campaign council, commended Eno for his administration’s achievements and development plans. Recalling his tenure as governor of the state, Akpabio said his administration had sought to transform Akwa Ibom from what he described as its pedestrian status into a destination for visitors and investors.

He, however, said Eno was taking the transformation further through his administration’s projects and development initiatives. “When we took over the reins of government in 2007, we were determined to turn the state from its pedestrian status to a destination for all and sundry, and all our projects were tailored towards that. “But as you were reeling out your achievements in the last three and a half years and your plans for the next four years, you are gradually turning Akwa Ibom into a global destination.

This is Uncommon Transformer 2.0. I was Uncommon Transformer 1.0,” he said. Akpabio particularly commended Eno for reportedly executing projects without borrowing from commercial banks, attributing the development to increased federal allocations under the Tinubu administration. “From what our governor has said today as regards his achievements, one thing caught my attention, and that is the fact that he said he has not borrowed a dime from any bank to execute those projects.

“For not borrowing to execute all these laudable projects, it is a confirmation that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is giving you more money and you are using it judiciously for the development of the state,” he said. The Senate President subsequently asked the gathering who should be returned to the Presidential Villa in 2027, citing the release of additional resources to states by the Federal Government.

The audience reportedly responded by affirming their support for Tinubu’s re-election. Akpabio also assured Eno of the support of members of the National Assembly from Akwa Ibom, saying the governor would not be left alone in his efforts to develop the state. “On this journey of turning our dear state into a global destination, you shall not walk alone.

We, the members of the NASS from the state, are with you. “With you on the saddle, the future of our state and children are secured,” he said. He further praised the governor’s emphasis on education and human capital development, describing investment in the training of young people as essential to sustaining the state’s infrastructure and development projects.

Akpabio advised Eno to remain focused on his development agenda and pay little attention to criticisms from opposition parties. Earlier, Eno presented his administration’s scorecard for the past three and a half years, attributing its achievements partly to the support of President Tinubu, particularly the increase in federal allocations to the state.