Politics
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared his support for Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State in the 2027 gubernatorial election, signalling a rare bipartisan endorsement across party lines in the state’s political landscape.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared his support for Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State in the 2027 gubernatorial election, signalling a rare bipartisan endorsement across party lines in the state’s political landscape.
Akpabio, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, made his position known through his wife, Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, during a Town Square meeting held at the Ikot Ekpene Sports Stadium on Thursday.
The Senate President’s endorsement comes after Governor Eno’s public pledge of support for President Bola Tinubu to complete two terms in office on Tuesday.
Akpabio particularly thanked the Governor for empowering the constituents with business grants, adding that Akwa Ibom would be a greater place if successive administrations would emulate and sustain his inclusive leadership style.
“Let me welcome you to Ikot-Ekpene federal Constituency for the Town Square meeting and to appreciate you for the several life-touching projects that you have executed for this constituency
” I urge the constituents to work in unison towards ensuring that Akwa Ibom grows beyond religious, political and tribal barriers. I want to restate my commitment to supporting the Governor beyond 2027 irrespective of party affiliation,” Akpabio said.
The Member representing Ikot Ekpene-Obot Akara and Essien Udim Federal Constituency, Patrick Umoh, in his goodwill message, described the town hall square meeting as a true demonstration of democracy.
Umoh, an APC member, thanked Eno for his inclusive leadership style and moved a motion for the governor’s return to the Hilltop Mansion and this was unanimously endorsed by the constituents.
Responding, Eno, announced N260 grants to 664 farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs during the meeting.
A breakdown of the grants shows that 210 farmers received N105 million, 255 traders received N125 million, six beneficiaries of the Small Medium Enterprises got N5million each while 184 were beneficiaries of equipment support, and nine got cars of different types.
He enjoined the beneficiaries to make use of the grant judiciously to grow their enterprises, better their lives and those of their families, urging them to be prudent in the management of the funds as there was no second chance for those who have benefitted in the scheme.
Eno assured that the Needs Document received from the constituents will be carefully studied and accommodated in next year’s budget for effective implementation, and also commended the people of the Federal Constituency for their support which he acknowledged has enabled him to deliver democratic dividends to the people.
“Today, we came to say to Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, thank you for your support and for the work you have done.
“We have received the Needs Document and I like to say this clearly. This Needs Document is part of what the law requires before preparing a budget. You must engage with the people and that is what we have done by going to the federal constituencies to enhance citizens’ engagement. We will compile it and use it accordingly, though we might not be able to bring everything in, we will implement it according to available funds. So 2026 budget will be the people’s budget”
In his remarks, the Political Leader of Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien while presenting the Needs Document to the Governor, appreciated him for his inclusive and pragmatic leadership which according to him, has transformed the constituency in terms of human capital and infrastructural development, noting that within the last 20 months, over 42 life-touching projects have been executed in the Constituency.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairmen of the three Local Government Areas in the Federal Constituency, the Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, Hon. Nkom Nkom, commended the Governor for his developmental and transformative leadership in the Constituency, reiterating their commitment to supporting the Governor for another term come 2027.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has intensified his call for the establishment of state police to contain the wave of insecurity in Nigeria.
George made this call on Friday when he appeared during an interview on Arise Television monitored by Ekwutosblog.
He was reacting to the worsening insecurity situation in the country where innocent Nigerians, including women and schoolchildren are kidnapped and others killed in the process.
“First of all, what is wrong with establishing state police? We have seen nobody is going to cancel the Federal Police, but policing is local.
“When you now turn the boys who live in the same area and legalize their existence to put smiles on the faces of the people, it will be better to manage because they will understand the language of the locals. They know the do’s and don’ts in their own area. So why are we wasting time?
“I am happy I read something last week after the Arewa Consultative meeting in the North. They met and took a decision that they have agreed to a state police.
“Then the Southwest met with their governors, and the governors’ statement made after that conference is that they also accept having state police.
“What are we wasting time for? Because the way it is, you don’t even know who is telling the truth or who is telling the lie,” he said.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
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