Traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom State have thrown their weight behind President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing what they described as visible achievements and people-focused governance.
The endorsement came on Saturday at a rally held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, where paramount rulers, clan and village heads, family heads and their spouses from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District converged to formally declare support for the trio, according to a statement issued by Anietie Ekong, Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the President of the Senate.
Chairing the event, the Itai Afe Annang and Paramount Ruler of Afe Annang, Obong Blaise Awakama, said the gathering was historic, noting that it was the first time traditional rulers in the state were collectively recognising the achievements of their “distinguished sons.”
Awakama said the monarchs were impressed by Tinubu’s leadership record, from his time as Lagos State governor to his current economic reforms, which he said had increased funds available to states and local governments for development.
He also praised Akpabio’s record, recalling his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State, his role as Senate Minority Leader and his time as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, particularly the completion of the Niger Delta Development Commission headquarters and other regional projects.
According to him, the traditional rulers equally acknowledged Akpabio’s leadership as Senate President, pointing to legislative interventions such as the Students Loan Act and the establishment of development commissions.
On Governor Eno, Awakama said the monarchs recognised his efforts in promoting peace and extending development beyond urban centres to rural communities across the state, stressing that such achievements could not be ignored.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Abak, Akuku Saviour Sylvester Udofia, said the endorsement reflected the council’s collective judgment of the trio’s leadership capacity, commitment to good governance and service delivery at both federal and state levels.
Following a unanimous voice vote adopting the endorsement, Udofia said the decision was aimed at strengthening peace, unity and constructive engagement between government and traditional institutions.
Receiving the memorandum on behalf of the beneficiaries, Governor Eno described the endorsement as unprecedented and expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers for their continued support.
Akpabio, who accepted the endorsement for himself and President Tinubu, thanked the traditional institution and assured that the President remained committed to improving the welfare of Nigerians, while urging the monarchs to mobilise their subjects for voter registration ahead of 2027.