At a public reception held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, proposed a motion to endorse Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the sole candidate representing all political parties for the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District in the 2027 election.

The motion was made during the event organized by the senatorial district to celebrate Akpabio’s role as Senate President.

Ekpo’s motion was seconded by Hon. Patrick Umoh, House of Representatives member representing Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, Obot Akara Federal Constituency and was generally agreed through a voice votes on the affirmative, according to a statement issued by Ekpo’s media aide, Louis Ibah.

The Gas Minister described Akpabio as a father, role model, a man of grace who has served the state and senatorial district meritoriously and deserved to be allowed to run for the 2027 Senate unopposed.

He cited his magnanimous decision to allow Senator Aloysius Etuk run for two terms in the same senatorial district.

Ekpo said: “Will we not allow such a man to go for another term? We know that even if you sleep and election is conducted you will win, but the people have mandated me to ask you that come 2027 no body will buy any form to contest that seat from any of the political parties in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district…the people have told me to inform you that.”

Ekpo thanked the large crowd that turned up for the event saying the former governor of the state deserved all the honour and felicitations from the people.

The Minister also extolled the peaceful disposition of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to governance, urging the Senate President to partner with Eno for the development of the state.

Ekpo described Eno as a “shepherd that should be celebrated” imploring Akpabio not to listen to those who come to him to blackmail and backbite the governor.

The minister tasked Akpabio “to teach Governor Eno” how to perform and deliver dividends of democracy to Akwa Ibom State just as he did as governor.