Akpabio Says Opposition Parties In A/Ibom Backing Tinubu, Eno

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has claimed that political stakeholders across party lines in his senatorial district in Akwa Ibom State, have endorsed the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu.

Akpabio also listed himself and the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, as having been similarly endorsed by major opposition parties in the district.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Akpabio’s media aide, Jackson Udom, the endorsements were made on Saturday at a meeting of critical stakeholders from Akpabio’s Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.

The statement listed the local chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as having aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the district for the re-election of Tinubu, Akpabio and Eno.

The statement quoted one of the opposition leaders in the district, Unyime Idem, to have said that the parties took the decision after the assessment of the contributions and performance of the leaders.

While Tinubu and Eno are seeking re-election as president and governor respectively, Akpabio is seeking re-election to retain the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial seat.

The statement also quoted Akpabio to have attributed the endorsement to the prevailing atmosphere of peace in Akwa Ibom State, saying opposition parties had joined forces to support Tinubu and the political leadership in the state.

“We are very happy for this grand endorsement of Mr President, myself and our governor. It shows that there is unity in this state, particularly in Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district,” Akpabio was quoted as saying.

He was said to have boasted that his district would deliver “100 percent” of its votes to Tinubu and Eno at the polls, appealing for tolerance and reconciliation among political stakeholders.

“Whoever we have wronged in the course of our politicking, let us forgive and forget so that we can move in one direction and voice during the electioneering and voting,” Akpabio was quoted to have said.

Stakeholders reported to have attended the meeting included a former Petroleum Minister, Don Etiebet; a retired DIG, Udom Ekpoudom; and former Senators Aloysius Etuk, Emmanuel Ibok Essien and Chris Ekpenyong.