By Inemesit Amos
Political stakeholders, community leaders and prominent citizens and youth leaders from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have pledged their support for the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) governorship candidate, Obong Jeremiah Udoh Akpan, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The stakeholders, drawn from Ibiono Northern, Ibiono Southern, Ibiono Eastern, Ibiono Western and Ibiono Central, made their position known when Akpan visited the local government area as part of his political engagements ahead of the election.
In a press release signed by the Obong Jeremiah Udoh Akpan, Governorship 2027 Media Team and made available to Century Newsfront indicate that the stakeholders said their support for the DLA candidate was influenced by his personal qualities, his family’s history of philanthropy and their confidence in his capacity to provide purposeful leadership if elected governor.
Some of the speakers at the gathering recalled the humanitarian contributions of Akpan’s late father, describing him as a philanthropist who assisted members of the community in various ways, including education, accommodation and other forms of support. According to them, some individuals personally benefited from his generosity, recalling that they were accommodated in his home and received assistance at critical moments in their lives.
The stakeholders said the goodwill generated by the Akpan’s late father had endured over the years, expressing confidence that he would build on the legacy by empowering the people and promoting development. The gathering also attracted political actors from different political parties, some of whom declared that their support for Obong Jerimiah Akpan was based on their relationship with him and was not restricted by party affiliation.
They pledged to mobilise support for the DLA candidate and establish support groups across Ibiono Ibom to drive his campaign ahead of the 2027 election. The stakeholders further declared their readiness to stand by Obong Akpan even if their respective political parties took disciplinary action against them, saying their commitment was primarily to support “their own”.
Responding, Obong Jerimiah Udoh Akpan thanked the people of Ibiono Ibom for the confidence reposed in him and promised that his administration would give special attention to the Itu-Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, comprising Itu and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas. He said the popular principle that “charity begins at home” would guide his approach to development, arguing that the constituency had suffered years of neglect, marginalisation and inadequate development.
Obong Akpan, a philanthropist par excellence described the terrain and living conditions in some parts of the constituency as difficult and promised to make the development and redemption of the area one of the immediate priorities of his administration if elected. He, however, stressed that his development agenda would extend beyond Itu and Ibiono Ibom to cover the entire state, with emphasis on education, housing, empowerment, peace and sustainable development.
On education, the DLA candidate promised to strengthen opportunities for Akwa Ibom people to acquire quality education and develop skills needed to participate meaningfully in the state’s, national and global economy.
He also unveiled a proposed housing programme involving the construction of 10,000 affordable housing units across the three senatorial districts of the state. According to him, Itu and Ibiono Ibom would be major beneficiaries of the programme, which he said would provide decent and affordable accommodation while contributing to the overall development of the state.
On economic empowerment, Akpan said his administration would place the people at the centre of governance by creating opportunities for them to become economically productive and self-reliant. He maintained that Akwa Ibom’s abundant human and natural resources provided the state with a strong foundation for greater prosperity if properly harnessed for the benefit of the people.
The DLA candidate, flanked by his wife, Mrs. Enomfon Jeremiah Udoh reiterated his campaign message, “Ini Uforo Ndito Akwa Ibom 2027”, saying his vision is to build an Akwa Ibom where the people would be empowered, prosperous and able to benefit meaningfully from the resources of the state. He also promised to promote peace, inclusive development and economic opportunities across the state, irrespective of senatorial district, local government area, political affiliation or background.
Also in the entourage were were the State Chairman of the DLA, Hon. Pastor Victor Tom; the DLA Senatorial Candidate for Uyo Senatorial District, Princess Dr. Ambassador Victoria Ibokette; the DLA House of Representatives hopeful, Mrs. Mfon Peter Udoh. Also in the entourage were candidates including House of Assembly hopeful for Ibiono Ibom, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ikono, as well as other distinguished Akwa Ibom indigenes and supporters of the DLA. The visit ended with renewed calls for unity, grassroots mobilisation and collective support for Akpan as the 2027 political season gathers momentum.