ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

By Francesca Hangeior

Two opposition governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have declared support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and his Delta counterpart, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday said they will support President Tinubu to serve out his eight years constitutional term which ends in 2031.

The PDP governors, who spoke at different fora, made their positions known barely 24 hours after their colleagues met in Ibadan and distanced themselves and the party from the opposition coalition movement led by former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, aiming to unseat Tinubu in 2027.

Gov Eno, while underscoring Tinubu, infrastructural development and other positive imprints across different sectors of the nation’s economy, vowed to throw his weight behind Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 to see off his second term.

He pledged unalloyed support of the people of the state to President Tinubu’s second term bid, explaining that the stance would enable the president to wind up on the projects he has initiated across the nation.

The governor conveyed appreciation in a brief ceremony yesterday to flag off the Construction of the 65KM:3-Lane Dual Carriageway (750KM Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway) at Ikot Asua Village, Nsit Atai local government area.

“Let me end by assuring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Akwa Ibom State stands ready to continue to support and collaborate with his administration as he works to renew our hopes in the founding principles of our dear nation, which, in the main, are to spread prosperity, deepen unity, faith and pride of the Nigerian State,” he stated.

Joining hordes of Akwa Ibom people to express gratitude as beneficiaries of the Lagos – Calabar coastal road project, conveyed the message to the Federal government, urging the President to sustain the tempo.

He said Akwa Ibom people who are beneficiaries of the road construction do not take the gesture for granted as the road would have passed through any other State within the coastal region.

The PDP governor stated this in Sapele, Delta State at the 49th birthday and 27th pastoral anniversary celebration of Archbishop Godday Iboyi of Promise Kingdom Ministry (Overflow), themed “If No Be God.”

Represented by his chief of staff, (COS), Prince Johnson Erijo, the governor said his tenure will end in 2031, same as Tinubu’s presidency.

Erijo, speaking on behalf of Governor Oborevwori, noted, “It is the way the terminal bus stop of our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is going to end in 2031, that is the same way that of your son, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is going to end in 2031.”

Speaking further on the impact of the highway project in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Eno noted that the importance of road infrastructure remains non-negotiable as it serves as a key catalyst for the nation’s growth and prosperity.

He enumerated the ease of movement of goods and services, the encouragement of small and medium-scale enterprises, the provision of employment opportunities, the stimulation of interstate commerce, and the creation of bonds among the people, as boundaries are easily wiped off when roads pass through communities.

The governor hinted that the project benefits Akwa Ibom and Cross River State enormously. He thanked Mr President for his inclusive leadership and prioritisation of even development across the nation.

He said, “Road infrastructure, therefore, is a key catalyst for the growth and prosperity of any nation. It facilitates the movement of goods and services, encourages small and medium-scale enterprises, provides employment opportunities, stimulates inter-state commerce, and generally improves the quality of life for the people.

“This is the vision of the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project 3 and 3b, which links the two Sister- States of Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

“The economic benefits it will bring to our state are enormous. We deeply thank the President for his inclusive leadership and prioritising even national development without resorting to political considerations.”

He canvassed the youths’ cooperation with the road project contractors, urging them to sustain the peace the State is known for. He assured them that “the State will work with the Minister to ensure that compensations are paid to the beneficiaries as soon as the Federal government releases the sum.”

Governor Eno, therefore, appreciated the minister for Works, David Umahi, for his intervention in the deplorable Calabar -Itu highway and pledged to work with the contracting firm to ensure the execution of the project.

Umahi scored Governor Umo Eno high on infrastructure development across the State, describing him as a man of sincerity and passion for quality and people-oriented projects.

He particularly admired the state’s ambience, saying that the flag-off of the Lagos -Calabar coastal road project will enhance the state’s economy and accessibility.