Senator Christopher Ekpenyong of Akwa Ibom State’s Ikot Ekpene senatorial district has vowed to mobilize his constituents in support of Pastor Umo Eno’s election as the state’s next governor in 2023.
Ekpenyong spoke on Monday evening during a consultation with the governorship aspirant on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform and his campaign team in his country home, Obot Akara local government area.
He stated that his support for Pastor Eno was in fulfillment of his promise to Governor Udom Emmanuel that he would support any aspirant anointed by him (the governor) to succeed him.
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He was impressed that the Governor chose a very credible candidate to succeed him, and he described Pastor Eno as a man of proven integrity and competence.
“I had told the governor earlier that I will support whoever he chooses as his preferred successor,” Ekponyong said. And I thank the Governor for presenting someone I’ve known for many years.
My God will honor you, Umo Eno.
As Crown Prince of Obot Akara, I declare that you will succeed. “You will be the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.” And I appeal to all my brothers and sisters, youths, elders, women, and indeed the entire Akwa Ibom NorthWest people to do the same.
The former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, however, advised Pastor Eno to ensure that when elected, he brought development projects to Obot Akara LGA, and expressed gratitude to Governor Udom for the construction of the Nto Edino-Ekwerazu Road and bridges, as well as the Ikpe Mbak Eyop roads, among others.
In his address to the people, Pastor Umo Eno stated that he and his team had come to officially notify Senator Ekponyong of his governorship ambitions and to seek his blessings ahead of the PDP primaries and general elections in 2023.
Eno who described Ekpenyong as a Statesman and a Leader, assured him that when he assumes office as a governor he would run a government of inclusion.
“I assure you, sir, that we will not abandon Obot Akara.” Obot Akara will function as an industrial belt. His Excellency, you know that those of us in the private sector know how to build an economy, how to use small amounts of money to build big things.
We will create a large number of jobs for youths, promote agribusiness, and ensure that youths are meaningfully engaged.
“We can’t do politics with those,” Eno said.
Earlier, the Director-General of his Campaign Organizations, Amb. Assam Assam (SAN), praised Senator Ekponyong for endorsing Umo Eno as his candidate, describing him as a true, consistent, and committed PDP man who is known for standing by his words.
During the consultation visit, other Obot Akara LGA stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, assured Pastor Umo Eno of a bloc vote from the area.
Among those in attendance were HRM, Akuku Uwa Umo Adiaka, the Paramount Ruler of Obot Akara, and Lady Agnes Udoenwenwen, the Chairman of the Local Government Council.