2027: Minister threatens to deploy ‘federal might’ in Akwa Ibom election

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has declared that the federal, state and local governments will combine their powers to secure overwhelming electoral victories for the APC in Akwa Ibom State, raising questions about the neutrality of public institutions ahead of the 2027 elections.

Mr Ekpo made the declaration at a political rally in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, where he introduced the APC candidate for the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly constituency.

“This State Constituency, this Federal Constituency, this Senatorial District, this Akwa Ibom State is going to be 100 over 100. I can tell you that as a federal minister,” he told the crowd at the rally.

“We will bring federal might and join with state might and join with local government might and make sure the people of this local government, whether you like that blessing, that blessing will come to you. A man of peace is on the throne.”

The minister did not explain what he meant by combining the powers of the three tiers of government or how the proposed mobilisation would be carried out.

His remarks drew attention to longstanding concerns surrounding the use of government power and public resources to influence electoral outcomes in Nigeria, where political expressions such as “federal might” have often fuelled suspicions of possible interference in the electoral process.

Under Nigeria’s democratic architecture, elections are expected to provide a level playing field for political parties and candidates, while public institutions must operate within the law rather than serve the electoral interests of the party in power.

Mr Ekpo’s spokesperson, Louis Ibah, did not respond to a media enquiry sent to him on WhatsApp on Friday, despite reading the message. A reminder sent on Saturday morning and a subsequent telephone call also went unanswered.

In the enquiry, PREMIUM TIMES asked Mr Ibah to clarify what the minister meant by combining federal, state and local government power in the election and how the declaration aligned with democratic competition and the neutrality of public institutions.

There was no response as of the time of filing this report.

Echoes of previous election controversies

Mr Ekpo’s remarks follow concerns about political leaders making declarations that appear to presume electoral results before voters cast their ballots.

In September, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Emmanuel Enoidem, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, insisted that a federal lawmaker, Clement Jimbo, would be returned to the House of Representatives in 2027, “whether you like it or not”.

Mr Enoidem made the declaration while soliciting support for Mr Jimbo, who represents Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency. Some members of the audience reportedly rejected the appeal.

Mr Enoidem subsequently told PREMIUM TIMES that his remarks were directed at APC members, arguing that party members were expected to support their party’s candidates. He also acknowledged the right of voters to freely choose their preferred candidates.

Mr Ekpo’s expression steered political discourse in Akwa Ibom, invoking concerns about whether the machinery of government could be used to influence electoral competition in the 2027 general elections.

Mr Ekpo’s declaration is particularly noteworthy because he occupies a federal executive position and noted that he speaks from the hindsight of being a minister while openly invoking the use of federal powers for an electoral result.

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Although political parties and their members are entitled to campaign for electoral victories, using public office or government institutions to confer an unfair advantage on a party would raise serious questions about electoral integrity.

Nigeria’s constitution guarantees citizens the right to participate in government, while the Electoral Act provides the legal framework for conducting elections. The credibility of the process depends, in part, on voters being able to make their choices freely, without intimidation or improper interference.

Mr Ekpo did not explicitly threaten violence in the remarks reviewed by PREMIUM TIMES. However, his reference to combining federal, state and local government “might,” coupled with his revelation that he is speaking based on his privileged position as a “federal minister,” raises questions about the means through which he intends to secure the sweeping electoral victory he predicted.

Until he clarifies his remarks, that question remains unanswered.