A major political development has emerged in Akwa Ibom State as the Esit Eket Grassroots Network (EGN) has formally distanced itself from the controversial position of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), while throwing its weight behind the second term ambitions of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Umo Eno, and Okpolupm Etteh.
At a well-attended stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday, April 3, 2026, the group described the EPU’s recent publication titled “Why Ekid Will Not Support Hon. Okpolupm Ikpong Etteh and Any Other Ibeno Candidate” as misleading, divisive, and unrepresentative of the collective will of the Ekid people.
In a communiqué, the EGN asserted that the EPU does not speak for the entire Ekid nation, emphasizing that its views are limited to its members and should not be misconstrued as a unified position.
“The attempt to generalize its stance as the collective will of the people is misleading and unacceptable,” the group declared.
Reaffirming democratic ideals, the group stressed that leadership should be determined by competence, performance, and service delivery, not ethnic or sectional sentiments, saying “Citizens have the constitutional right to freely choose their preferred candidates without coercion or propaganda.”
The group particularly commended Rep. Okpolupm Etteh’s track record in the Eket Federal Constituency, citing his strides in youth empowerment, human capital development, and consistent engagement with constituents.
According to the communiqué, his accessibility and responsive representation have set a benchmark worthy of continuity.
In a decisive move, the group passed a motion endorsing the second term bids of President Tinubu, Governor Eno, and Rep. Etteh, describing the trio as critical to sustaining ongoing development efforts at the federal, state, and constituency levels.
The motion was moved by Rt. Hon. Okon Edoho Udo, a former Transition Chairman of Esit Eket, and seconded by Chief Victor Dan Ikot, a former Secretary of the Local Government Area.
The meeting, convened and chaired by SCS Martin Edet Umoyo, drew a broad spectrum of political stakeholders, including former office holders, community leaders, and the immediate past Chapter and Ward Executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Esit Eket.
Among those present were Rt. Hon. Okon Edoho Udo, Chief Victor Dan Ikot, Chief Udo Thompson, Dr. Ekanem Friday John, Emmanuel Nsoh, Mrs. Mercy Joseph Sam, Aniefiok Cobb, Samuel Ehoho Udo, Hon. Ubong Bassey, Hon. Samuel Frank, Victor Asuquo Ayah, Mrs. Ekaette Uduak, Chief Udo Unwong, Udoyo Effiong Udoyo (immediate past Ward-8 Chairman), Prince Imoh Etito, Timothy Tim Umoh, Charity Awai, Comfort Sunday Umana, Felix Etesin, and Bright Inung.
The immediate past Ward Chairmen of the APC in attendance included Phillip Daniel Udi (Ward-2), Willie John Friday (Ward-3), Benjamin Warrie Eno (Ward-4), Emmanuel Sunday Sam (Ward-5), Daniel Mbong Asuquo (Ward-6), Samuel Monday Asuquo (Ward-9), and Victor Monday Mkpa (Ward-10), among others.
Additional stakeholders such as Michael Benedict Ekwere, Elizabeth Abia, Godwin Etim Inyang, Hon. Samuel Ibok, Nkoyo Samuel, Iboro Sunday Edet, Mark Monday Ikoetuk, and Imaobong Charles also lent their voices to the deliberations.
Several speakers at the meeting, including Dr. Ekanem Friday John, Chief Udo Unwong, Felix Etesin, Mrs. Mercy Joseph Sam, Comfort Sunday Umana, and Mrs. Ekaette Uduak, commended the leadership qualities and performance of Rep. Etteh, urging constituents to rally behind him for sustained progress.
The Esit Eket Grassroots Network concluded by calling on the public to reject divisive narratives and remain committed to unity, peace, and collective advancement within the Eket Federal Constituency.
