Ahead of the governorship election slated for this weekend, the Igbo speaking community in Akwa Ibom State has endorsed Pastor Umo Eno, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The community made the endorsement during a consultation visit to Eno, at the weekend in Uyo, the state capital on Saturday.
In their separate remarks, Eze Barth Okpala, the Eze Ndigbo of Uyo, who doubles as the Ezeumeakuka, Eze Ndigbo, in Akwa Ibom commended Pastor Eno, for the recognition accorded the Igbo community by the visit, noting that “it is the first time a governorship candidate is consulting us as a group in the state.”
They added that though they had started mobilising supports for the PDP candidate, the official consultation will further motivate them to go all out in support of the Nsit Ubium-born seasoned entrepreneur.
They noted that “as the PDP candidate has deemed it fit to honour and recognize them, they will reciprocate the kind gesture on March 11, with their votes.
“This is the first time that this kind of forum has been provided for us in this state which is an indication that the incoming administration of the state under Pastor Umo Eno, is ready to carry everybody along in the task of moving the state to the next level.
“In this state, the Igbos have the highest voting strength second to the indigenes, and we do not run away when it is time for elections. There are verifiable records that since the beginning of democracy and party politics in Nigeria, the Igbos in Akwa Ibom State have always stood with the PDP. We always participate actively in the campaigns and, at the end, deliver block votes to the party’s candidates,” they added.
They assured that the forthcoming election would not be any different as their people were ready to cast their votes massively for the PDP in the state.
Calling on the Igbo community to vote and mobilise votes in favour of the PDP governorship candidate, the Igbo leaders including Prof Basil Onuoha of the University of Uyo,  Chief Daniel Chukwuma, and Engr. Nelson Onuoha, said they have known Pastor Eno for many years, describing him as “a honest, cerebral, humble, and sincere leader, who should be supported for the peace and development of the state.”
While noting that the Umo Eno administration would be beneficial to the Igbo community, some of the leaders who have lived and done business in the state for over 40 years, said the community has always supported the PDP since inception, and urged their people to stand firm and support PDP again in the forthcoming elections.