Senate President Godswill Akpabio has endorsed Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno’s bid for a second term—barely 24 hours after the latter publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election.
Governor Eno, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had on Tuesday declared his support for President Tinubu to serve a second term in office.
The gesture was reciprocated by Akpabio, a key leader within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at a public lecture hosted by the Faculty of Social Science at the University of Uyo, Akpabio lauded the governor’s rare political gesture and pledged the support of the party in return.
“Sir, for doing that, I am a member of the All Progressives Congress. I am speaking for the elders and to tell you we are also going to support you for a second term,” the Senate President declared, leading to applause from attendees, including Governor Eno.
“We will support you in whatever aspiration you have. Yesterday, you broke a record by being the first opposition governor to declare support for a second term bid of Mr Tinubu,” Akpabio added during his goodwill remarks at the lecture.
Akpabio was represented at the event by Saviour Enyiekere, Chairperson of the National Assembly Service Commission.
The event also doubled as a celebration of Governor Eno’s recent academic achievement. The governor, an alumnus of the University of Uyo, had recently earned a doctorate in Political Science with a specialisation in Public Administration. He served as guest speaker at the event, delivering a speech on “Leading Economic Development in Sub-Nationals of the Nigerian Federation: The Arise Agenda.”