…endorse Tinubu, Umo Eno, Paul Ekpo for 2nd terms
By Ime Silas
Hundreds of members drawn from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), Labour Party (LP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Mbioto 1, Northern Iman Ward 2 in Etinan local government area of Akwa Ibom State have dumped their parties, saying they would follow their Political Leader, Obong (Hon) Emmanuel Titus to his new party.
The party faithful made their declarations on Sunday, July 6, 2025 during a Unity Meeting hosted by Obong Emmanuel Titus, a former Secretary of Etinan Local Government Council at his country home in Mbioto 1.
Obong Emmanuel Titus popularly known as Mika, while addressing the political gathering, thanked them for the continued support accorded him as their Political Leader, assuring them that he would never lead them astray.
Hear him: “First of all, I want to thank you all for turning up for this meeting despite a very short notice”, Obong Emmanuel Titus said, describing their gesture as a sign of love, respect and loyalty.
He continued: “I must confess that I least expected this massive turn out, considering the short notice and the rains. This is a proof that you are not only loyal to me as your Political Leader, but that you also love and respect me. I want to thank you immensely and restate my commitment today that I will never take this for granted, neither will I lead you astray.
“I called for this Unity Meeting today so as to update you on developments in our state polity. You may have heard that our governor His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, whom we elected on the platform of the PDP, has moved progressively into the APC.
All government appointees including all political gladiators in Etinan Local Government Area have all moved with the governor. I had since also moved along with them. That is why I convened this meeting to brief you”.
Explaining the rationale for the movement, Obong Emmanuel Titus said “We have heard what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing to transform Nigeria. We have also heard and seen what Governor Umo Eno is doing across all the local government areas in Akwa Ibom State. We are also aware of the various ongoing empowerment programmes of Obong Paul Ekpo, some of which would reach you soon.
For them to continue to serve us better, we must come together under one viable political party so that come 2027, we will reelect them for their second terms in office”.
Responding, Surv. Unwana C.O. Akpan, a prominent member of the PDP declared that it was expedient for everyone in the village to follow one direction in order to attract development to the area.
“We can’t afford to be in opposition. From the crowd here, we can see that we have the electoral number that can cause a stir. So Sir, we will continue to follow you as our leader to wherever you go to”.
On his part, Mr. Sunday Benson said: “When talking about opposition politics, people should ask me so I can tell them my past experiences recently in the NNPP. Therefore, if by providence, through the instrumentality of His Excellency, the Governor, APC turns from an opposition party to a ruling party, then we can’t make any mistake than to follow you, our leader”.
After much deliberations, Mr. Ephraim Akpabio, while moving a motion said: “Whereas we have listened to our Political Leader and all other speakers from different political parties here present; and whereas a common consensus pointing to one direction could be gleaned from what everyone has said here; I, Mr. Ephraim Akpabio hereby move a motion as follows:
That we all pass a Vote of Confidence on you as our Political Leader here in Mbioto 1; that we all have moved from our different political parties and from today, follow you to the All Progressives Congress, the APC.
That, given their sterling performances, we hereby adopt His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to return for a second term in 2027.
We also declare our support and adopt His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno for a second term in 2027.
We also adopt the member representing Etinan, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency, Obong (Hon) Paul Ekpo as our candidate, come 2027. I so moved”.
The motion which was unanimously adopted, was seconded by Mr. Ebong William Enebong.
