2027: Akwa Ibom Women Declare Support for Umo Eno’s Second-Term Bid
Reported By Facthabournews
Women leaders and grassroots mobilisers across Akwa Ibom State have declared their support for the second-term bid of Governor Umo Eno ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The declaration was made by the Female Grassroots Generals, a women-focused political mobilisation group comprising female local government chairmen, commissioners, government appointees, stakeholders and grassroots women across the state.
The group made its position known on Saturday, September 5, 2026, during a solidarity roadwalk in Uyo to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking during the event, the Dean of Female Local Government Chairmen and Coordinator of the Female Grassroots Generals, Rt. Hon. Otobong Aaron, said Akwa Ibom women were firmly behind Governor Eno and would support his bid to secure a second term in office in 2027.
Aaron, who is also the Executive Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, said the roadwalk was organised to celebrate the state’s anniversary, recognise the achievements of the governor and demonstrate the group’s support for his administration.
According to her, the Female Grassroots Generals was established to mobilise support at the grassroots for Governor Eno and candidates of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.
She described the group as a formidable women-led mobilisation structure with members spread across the state, saying its members were committed to engaging women at the grassroots and encouraging their participation in the political process.
Aaron commended Governor Eno for what she described as an inclusive style of governance, particularly his appointment of women to strategic positions within the state government.
She said the governor had created opportunities for women to participate in governance and contribute to the development of the state.
The local government chairman also praised the governor’s implementation of the ARISE Agenda, describing it as a development blueprint that had focused attention on infrastructure, economic growth, social welfare and other areas of public development.
She said the administration’s programmes had, in her assessment, helped to create greater optimism among residents and had continued to attract attention to Akwa Ibom.
Aaron also expressed appreciation for the governor’s proposed women empowerment programme scheduled for October, which she said was expected to support women through cooperative groups at the ward level.
She described the planned initiative as a positive step that could strengthen women’s economic participation, encourage self-reliance and improve household livelihoods across the state.
The coordinator subsequently called on women in Akwa Ibom to support the political ambitions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno, as well as other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
Her call formed part of the political mobilisation message delivered during the event, which brought together female political stakeholders and grassroots supporters from different parts of the state.
The occasion also featured goodwill messages from several female stakeholders, including the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Inibehe Silas; International Women Coordinator of Arise with Renewed Hope Initiative, Dr Glory Edet; Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Affiong Offor; and Special Adviser, Bureau of Cooperatives and Rural Development, Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong.
The speakers joined other participants in highlighting the role of women in community mobilisation, governance and political participation in the state.
The major highlight of the programme was a solidarity roadwalk from Ibom Plaza to the Water Fountain area in Uyo. Participants used the occasion to mark the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State while expressing support for the political candidates endorsed by the group.
The event also culminated in the adoption of APC candidates ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
Akwa Ibom State was created on September 23, 1987, following the creation of the state from the former Cross River State. The anniversary has traditionally provided an opportunity for residents and organisations to reflect on the state’s development and achievements since its creation.
The declaration by the Female Grassroots Generals comes as political activities and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gain momentum across Nigeria.
With women constituting a significant part of the electorate and playing important roles in grassroots political mobilisation, endorsements from organised women’s groups are likely to remain an important feature of political activities ahead of the elections.
For the Female Grassroots Generals, Saturday’s roadwalk served both as a commemoration of Akwa Ibom’s 39th anniversary and as an opportunity to publicly express support for Governor Eno and other political candidates backed by the group.
The group said it would continue its grassroots engagement and mobilisation as the state moves closer to the 2027 electoral cycle.
