Etinan stakeholders adopt Paul Ekpo, Pius Emmanuel as sole candidates for Reps, AKHA 

By Itoro Bassey

Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Etinan Local Government Area, led by the Council Chairman, Hon. Uko Umoh, on Tuesday, endorsed Obong Paul Ekpo’s re-election bid to the National Assembly.

Similarly, Senator Aniekan Bassey and Hon. Pius Emmanuel John were adopted as sole candidates for Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District and Etinan State Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, while they pledge support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno.

The endorsements were made at a special stakeholders’ meeting convened by Hon. Uko Umoh at his residence in Etinan.

At the meeting, Dr Afia Achibong Afia moved the motion for the endorsements, which was seconded by Obong Ubong John Emah and confirmed by the Etinan Council Chairman.

Prominent stakeholders at the well-attended meeting included the Political Leader of Etinan, Isantim Kenneth Okon; former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon; former Council Chairman, Obong Cletus Ekpo, Etinan Chapter Chairman of the APC, Obong Israel Tommy; former UNIUYO VC, Prof Akpan Ekpo; Engr Billy Etuk, Vice Chairman of Etinan LGA, Obong Uko Essien Ibok, Obong Ini Obot, Bishop Andrew Uwanta, as well as former and serving political office holders in Etinan, among others.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the stakeholders noted that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has initiated critical reforms in fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange unification, student loans, infrastructure, and national security within three years, adding that continuity is necessary for these reforms to fully materialise.

They stated, “We declare President Bola Tinubu, GCFR as the sole presidential candidate of Etinan stakeholders for the 2027 general elections. We pledge to deliver not less than 98% of total votes cast in Etinan LGA for his re-election.

“Having appraised his peaceful disposition, performance in office, and fatherly treatment of Etinan LGA, we unanimously adopt Pastor Umo Eno, PhD as our sole governorship candidate for 2027. We urge all sons and daughters of Etinan at home and in diaspora to support his second term.

“Based on verifiable performance, accessibility, and spread of projects, we adopt Senator Aniekan Bassey as our sole senatorial candidate for 2027. We pass a vote of absolute confidence in him and appeal to the APC National Working Committee to grant him right of first refusal.

“In appreciation of his quality representation and in line with the principle of returning performing legislators, we adopt Obong Paul Ekpo our sole candidate for the Federal House of Representatives, 2027. Etinan LGA stands by him.

“In the spirit of party supremacy, equity among the 11 wards, and to avoid acrimony, we resolve to abide by the decision of the APC and the Leader of the Party in the State on the choice of Hon. Pius Emmanuel John as our sole candidate for Etinan State Constituency for 2027”.

The group unanimously agreed that, since the Assembly position rotates between Etinan North and Etinan South, Hon. Pius Emmanuel will serve only one term of four years to complete the two-term cycle currently being served by the incumbent member representing Etinan State Constituency, Hon. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot.

They added that the arrangement is in line with the zoning policy of Etinan LGA to ensure equity, fairness, and political stability.