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Traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom State have pledged support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The traditional rulers comprising paramount rulers, clan, village and family Heads and their spouses drawn from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District made the declaration at a special rally at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday, citing the developmental strides of the trio as reasons for their collective endorsement.
Setting the tone at the ceremony, Itai Afe Annang, paramount ruler and leader of Afe Annang, Obong Blaise Awakama, who chaired the event, said for the first time in the history of Akwa Ibom State, traditional rulers gathered together to recognize the good deeds of their distinguished sons. A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/Communication to the Senate President, Anietie Ekong quoted Obong Awakama to have said: “The traditional rulers are saying they have seen the good deeds of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who before he became the President turned around Lagos State.
“They have seen the economic reforms of the President which have made more money available to the States and Local Government Areas to carry out developmental projects.
“They have gathered together to say they have seen the uncommon deeds of our distinguished son, Senator Godswill Akpabio, right from the time he was Governor of Akwa Ibom State, he turned the State into the heaven that we see today. “They have recognized what he had done as a Senate Minority Leader and as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs when he completed the present headquarters complex of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and several other developmental projects across the region. “We also note what he has achieved as an uncommon Senate President through enactment of people oriented legislation like the creation of the Development Commissions, Students Loan Act and others too numerous to mention.
“The traditional rulers are saying they have seen the God-sent Golden Boy of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno who has brought peace to the State and has not concentrated development in the urban centres alone but has taken development to the nooks and crannies of Akwa Ibom State. And they say they cannot see all these things and keep quiet.”
He said the traditional rulers, having seen acts of good governance of the trio, wanted to publicly register their support and endorse them to return in 2027 to continue with their good works.
Speaking in the same vein, Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council and the paramount ruler of Abak, Akuku Saviour Sylvester Udofia said their endorsement of Tinubu, Akpabio and Eno was in recognition of their proven leadership capacity, good governance and sustained public service at both the Federal and State levels.
After a unanimous voice vote to adopt the trio, Akuku Udofia said: “This endorsement represents the collective decision of the Traditional Rulers Council in support of their leadership and to promote peace, unity, good governance and constructive engagements with the Traditional Rulers.”
Receiving the memorandum of endorsement, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, said the endorsement by the traditional rulers was unprecedented and thanked them for their continuous support.
Senator Akpabio, who accepted the endorsement for himself and on behalf of President Tinubu, said the gesture was uncommon and thanked the traditional institution for the recognition and assured that President Tinubu was working hard to make life more meaningful for all Nigerians.
According to Akpabio, Akwa Ibom North West senatorial district would double their votes for President Tinubu, Governor Eno and himself and urged the traditional rulers to take the message home and sensitise their subjects to register and get their permanent voters’ card in readiness for the 2027 general elections.
