Stakeholders during the rally. Photo: Emem Julius
Youths from Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State have endorsed the All Progressives Congress candidates for the 2027 general elections, pledging to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Governor Umo Eno, Clement Jimbo and Boniface Ebewo.
The youths made the declaration on Saturday at a rally held at the Etim Ekpo Local Government Council Secretariat in Utu Etim Ekpo.
A motion endorsing the candidates was moved by the youth leaders, Thompson Thompson and seconded by Mfon Akpan.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, a youth leader, Goodnews Obidiah reaffirmed their commitment to the party’s candidates, pledging to mobilise young people and communities towards the APC’s success in the forthcoming elections.
He said, “We will mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, our amiable Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, Hon. Clement Jimbo and Sir Boniface Ebewo for National Assembly and state assembly seats respectively.”
One of the youths, Mfonobong Moses said the youths would mobilise young people across the state’s 31 local government areas to support the President’s policies and programmes.
“We, the youths of Akwa Ibom, are pledging our support for President Tinubu. We believe in his leadership and we will continue to stand by him,” he said.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, urged party members to remain committed to the APC and work collectively towards securing victory for its candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Ekpo, who described himself as a member of the constituency, expressed confidence in the party’s leadership and called for the re-election of Tinubu and Akpabio. He also endorsed Eno for a second term and expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of Jimbo and Ebewo.
The minister commended Eno for creating what he described as an enabling environment for political leaders to discharge their responsibilities, insisting that the governor deserved another term in office.
Earlier, the chairmen of Etim Ekpo and Ika local government areas, Gideon Uwa and Utibe Nwoko, respectively, said the rally was organised to reaffirm the commitment of the two councils to the APC and its candidates across different levels of government.
They urged party members and supporters to sustain grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, Emmanuel Enoidem and the political leader of Etim Ekpo, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (retd.), said stakeholders in the area were united in their support for Tinubu, Akpabio, Eno, Jimbo and Ebewo, who is seeking the APC ticket for the Etim Ekpo State Constituency seat in 2027.
The Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, highlighted interventions by the Eno administration in education, youth empowerment, infrastructure and employment. He urged youths to recognise the importance of sustained development and remain actively involved in the political process.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Inibehe Silas, said women in Etim Ekpo and Ika were prepared to mobilise support for the APC candidates.
She described the party as central to the political future of Akwa Ibom State and urged women to remain united and committed ahead of the elections.
Responding to the endorsement, Ebewo, a candidate for the State House of Assembly, and Jimbo, a candidate for the House of Representatives, pledged to promote proactive leadership, strategic empowerment and participatory representation, with a focus on the needs of the people.
Other goodwill messages were delivered by the State APC Women Leader, Obonganwan Obonodo Uko, and the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Dr Saviour Enyiekere, who stressed the need for party unity and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.