The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has projected a landslide victory for the ruling All Progressives Congress in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that traditional rulers and stakeholders in the area have reaffirmed their support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno.
Akpabio, who hails from Essien Udim, spoke to journalists shortly after the emergence of new APC local government officers through a consensus process.
He urged the newly elected party executives to sustain unity within the party and consolidate its grassroots structures.
According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, on Sunday, the Senate President congratulated the party faithful, describing the development as a reaffirmation of loyalty to both the President and the governor.
He said, “My people have once again endorsed President Bola Tinubu. I am very satisfied with the exercise. This is very, very significant. They have done this before. It is not the first time the people of my local government have endorsed President Tinubu and Governor Eno.
“They have also said Governor Eno has done well, and they stand by him. The traditional rulers have equally said there should not be any form of consultation in their domain for the position of President outside Asiwaju Tinubu and the position of Governor outside Eno, and the people stand by that.”
Akpabio further expressed confidence in the electoral strength of the local government, noting that the area would deliver massive votes for the APC in 2027.
He added, “This is a very populous local government that is sure to give the President and the Governor over 180,000 votes based on the current voter registration. It was a very peaceful exercise. They have elected their officers for the council through consensus. I am very pleased to be a participant and a witness to this grand occasion.
“I thank Governor Eno for the peaceful ambience in the state. When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. I will sit down there and watch my people rejoicing, and I say, congratulations to the APC for already winning a second term in Essien Udim Local Government Area.”
PUNCH Online reports that the endorsement comes amid early political positioning across states, as parties begin to consolidate their bases ahead of the 2027 polls, with key stakeholders leveraging local structures and traditional institutions to signal alignment and mobilise support.
