… Says unlike 2022, Sen. Akpabio, Gov. Eno have made exercise peaceful, transparent, cheap

Member representating Essien Udim State Constituency, Prince Ukpong Akpabio II, KSJI, on Wednesday emerged as the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the 2027 Essien Udim State Constituency seat, with 10,735 votes from the eleven wards of the local government.

The Local Government Returning Officer for the House of Assembly primary in Essien Udim, Mr. Umoh Etteidung, stated this while declaring the results at the Council Secretariat in Afaha Ikot Ebak.

In his acceptance speech, the APC candidate thanked the Senate President for his fatherly support, motivation and endorsement which has made his success at the primary seamless, stress free and less expensive compared to what was obtainable in 2023.

He expressed his appreciation to all Essien Udim stakeholders and his constituents for their love and solidarity, promising not to disappoint them during his second term come 2027.

The APC candidate commended the Senate President for his collaboration with the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno,PhD, submitting that the peaceful disposition of both leaders have resulted in the conduct of the most peaceful and violent free primary in the history of Akwa Ibom state, promising to continue to offer quality and effective representation to the people of Essien Udim.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for the internal democracy mechanism put in place within the APC across the states of the federation, and assured the APC of massive votes to all the party’s candidates in next years general election.

“Your Excellency, I want to also thank you for the partnership you have brought to bare with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State which has given birth to the peaceful primaries that we are witnessing today across the state”.

“In 2022, I also went for this same election. But by this time then, I had sold two properties just for primaries alone. But this time around, I did not have to sell any property. So I want to say may God bless you and Governor Umo Eno for making this exercise peaceful, transparent and very cheap for all of us. It was not easy in 2022”, he recalled.

Continuing, he said, “A lot of people did not believe that this day will come true but you have shown that you are a leader. You have shown that you are a father. You have shown that you are a child of God, a man after God’s heart. You have exhibited every quality of a true father, same thing with our Mother, Her Excellency, Dr Mrs Ekaette Unoma Akpabio”.

He thanked the Governor for his partnership with the Senate President that has linked the state to the center and paid tributes to the Senate President for his mentorship, promising not to disappoint Ukana West Ward 2 and Essien Udim people.

Prince Akpabio also pledged to ensure that he provides quality and effective representation in 2027, assuring that the impact of his second term will be felt from the day he takes the oath of office come 2027.

The primary also had in attendance, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, accredited observers, non-governmental organisations, the media and party faithful.