2027: Akwa Ibom Youths Endorse Tinubu, Eno, APC Lawmakers

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, youths in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term and backed Governor Umo Eno and three lawmakers seeking to retain their respective seats.

The endorsement was made by the Central Ibiono Ibom Youths Movement (CIYM), a socio-political association, during a rally at the Ikpa Pavilion, Oko Ita, headquarters of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.

The group also endorsed Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District; Hon. Ime Okon, representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; and Hon. Moses Essien, representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The youths said their decision was based on the candidates’ performance, commitment to public service and contributions to development in their constituencies, Akwa Ibom State and the country.

Declaring the rally open, Dr Inyang George, who chaired the event, said the gathering was convened to formally register the movement’s support for the endorsed candidates ahead of the elections.

George said the endorsements followed an assessment of the candidates’ performance and developmental interventions over the past three years.

In his keynote address, CIYM president, Comrade Ekemini-Abasi Udoh, said the decision reflected what he described as the youths’ deliberate assessment of the leadership records and developmental interventions of the endorsed leaders.

Udoh said youths could no longer afford to remain passive participants in the political process, arguing that their future was closely tied to the quality of leadership they supported and elected.

He said the movement’s position was informed by the policies, programmes and projects associated with the endorsed leaders.

“Continuity is necessary where leaders have demonstrated commitment, responsiveness and capacity to deliver. Therefore, it is not merely a political declaration, but a conscious expression of confidence in leadership that the youths believe has produced tangible results,” he said.

Udoh urged members of the movement to remain united and politically vigilant and to work towards translating the endorsement into electoral victory at the appropriate time.

Responding on behalf of the endorsed candidates, Essien, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security, thanked the youths, elders and women of Central Ibiono Ibom for their support.

He said the endorsement would strengthen the resolve of the endorsed leaders to do more for the people, while commending the youths for their unity and political consciousness.

Essien described Tinubu’s performance as commendable and praised Governor Eno for what he called significant achievements across the state.

He cited projects and interventions in Ibiono Ibom, including Grace Estate, Ibom Medical City, Ikpanaya Road, Use-Ikot-Amama Road, the Model Primary School at Ikot Ekop and support for the Mother and Child Specialist Hospital.

According to him, the projects demonstrated the administration’s commitment to infrastructure, healthcare, education and the welfare of residents.

The APC chapter chairman in Ibiono Ibom, Comrade Ime Imeh Ikpong, assured the gathering that the party would deploy its structures across the local government area to secure victory for its candidates.

Also speaking, Mrs Agness Udoh, who represented the women, pledged their support for the re-election of Essien and the other endorsed APC candidates, assuring that women in the area would remain mobilised for the political project.