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By Osondu Ahirika
Curiosity, the aphorism says, “is the mother of invention”. The new political balance in Akwa Ibom State has induced my retrospective assessment. Call it a postmortem. Following the epochal movement of Governor Umo Eno from PDP and reception by APC on June 21, 2025.
One name sticks out as a precursor to this positive disruption. Of the hitherto fractured politics of Akwa Ibom State to a commonwealth. His name? Rt Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas). My friend Imo Udoima, insists he played a pivotal role in fashioning the political melting pot we now see in the State.
Sieving facts from the genesis of events leading up to this stage, that assertion is incontrovertible. Revert to January 22, 2025. Spokesperson to the Minister, Louis Ibah, put up a rebuttal in defence of his boss. A group, he described as “faceless”, known as, Concerned Members of the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State, had petitioned Obong Ekperikpe Ekpo.
A severe accusation was contained in an advert from the group. They alleged Obong Ekpo had been recruited by Governor Umo Eno to sabotage President Bola Tinubu’s second-term ambition. As puerile as the defamation sounded, it proceeded out of his professed disposition.
Rt Hon. Ekpo had charged Governor Umo Eno to reconcile and reunite his predecessors in office. With specific mention of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deacon Udom Emmanuel. A charge some people adjudged as ‘political haram’.
The major fear the group left unsaid was nonetheless louder to the discerning. They sensed the Minister going forward, would most likely endorse Governor Umo Eno for a second term. Deservedly so, for doing a great job leading the State. The tremors from that beseeching shook the APC family in the State to its foundation.
A ripple effect affected his political organisation – the Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF), Resignations of many from the ADF following that fallout threatened to ground his political clout. The ADF no doubt, contributed significantly to the APC’s successes in the 2023 elections. Especially in the Northwest (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District.
Nigeria’s Senate President emerged from the ADF. Adding more electoral victories in the 2024 Local Government Elections. Ekperikpe Ekpo was undaunted. He defended his cause.
Reiterated that Governor Eno is leading a peaceful administration in Akwa Ibom State. Dismissed insinuations of Governor Eno’s interference with activities that go on in the APC. Described as laughable, a so-called plot to sabotage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election efforts.
Restated his commitment to bipartisanship in promoting the greater success of APC come 2027. Reinforced his pragmatism by identifying the benefits of the partnership with Governor Eno. A thriving peaceful atmosphere in the State, attracting multinational firms and multimillion-dollar investments.
He shocked those he said were profiteering from chaos and political division by not bulging. As a parting shot, Ekpo reaffirmed his commitment to peace as a vital catalyst for development and progress in the State. The rest as we say is history. Now that the dust has settled, we have to give Rt Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo his deserved flowers.
The unparalleled beautiful scenes of June 21 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium were until then inconceivable to our common political imagination. Its spectacular constructions of elliptical political meltdown in Akwa Ibom State are undeniable proof of hard work and moderation behind the scenes.
Where would those his accusers hide their visage? Partnering with Governor Eno, and not forgetting Senate President Akpabio, they now drive the reelection bid of Mr President. As pundits, we are thus apprised of the traditional title, Obongemem 1 of Ika, (Ambassador of Peace), which he wears with éclat.
His political legwork is proof he is a Son of Peace indeed. A devout Catholic and Knight of St. John, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Pollution & Toxicology, University of Calabar.
– Rev. Osondu Ahirika, PhD, Chairman CWC, Tinubu Umo Eno Support Organization
