Emmanuel Ekon, a contender for the Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial seat representing the Young Progressives Party, has refuted claims that he is supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. Speaking to reporters on Sunday in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, Ekon, a former member of the House of Representatives for Abak Federal Constituency, described the rumors as “deliberately orchestrated propaganda” by individuals with malicious intent aimed at sowing discord among his supporters across the ten local government areas of Akwa Ibom North-West.
Ekon, who previously served as the Chairman of the Local Content Committee in the ninth National Assembly, emphasized that the primary goal of those spreading such “infantile and baseless falsehoods” is to undermine his growing popularity among the electorate. He urged his supporters to dismiss these “cheap lies,” which he believes are intended to deprive the Abak Federal Constituency of its rightful representation in 2023. Ekon pointed out that the senatorial slot has historically been rotated among the Ikot Ekpene, Ukanafun/Oruk, and Ikono/Ini federal constituencies, leaving the Abak-3 zone—comprising Abak, Etim Ekpo, and Ika local government areas—neglected and suffering from underdevelopment, infrastructural decay, and high youth unemployment.
He clarified, “I and Godswill Akpabio do not belong to the same party. Godswill is a member of the APC from Essien Udim LGA in Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency. By the grace of God, I am a candidate of the YPP from Etim Ekpo in Abak Federal Constituency. My primary mission is to return to the Red Chamber to address the injustices faced by our zone for many years.” Ekon expressed gratitude to Chief Don Etiebet, a member of the APC Board of Trustees from Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency, for urging Akpabio to allow only candidates from Abak-3 to contest for the seat in the interest of justice, equity, and fair play. Despite this, he noted that Akpabio remains resolute, even as it became apparent that former Deputy Inspector General Udom Ekpoudom, his kinsman from Etim Ekpo LGA, was close to securing the ticket.
Ekon called on stakeholders, elders, leaders, and youths, including all eligible voters from the zone, to unite against what he termed “bare-faced impunity and injustice” against a community that has patiently awaited its turn for representation. He urged them to take action to correct this anomaly using their permanent voter cards, starting with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for February 25.
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