In these politically turbulent times, a petition by the political group, Annang Frontline Mandate (AFM), based in the North West Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State, has gained attention. The petition, initiated by the group’s coordinator, Comrade Anselem Asua-ama, expresses deep concerns about Minister Umana Umana Ekpo. Asua-ama has made it clear that Mr. Ekpo does not have the credibility to unite the senatorial district ahead of the 2027 general elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The AFM members have strongly pointed out that Mr. Ekpo’s performance has not lived up to the expectations of the electorate and have therefore called for his immediate removal from the Federal Executive Council. They also alleged that Minister Ekpo has failed to adequately represent Akwa Ibom State and called on Senator Akpabio to facilitate his replacement with a more competent individual from Abak Federal Constituency.
In their statement, the AFM members insisted that there are many dynamic sons and daughters of Abak who can serve better than Mr. Ekpo. Their position is clear: it is time to replace the current Minister with someone more in tune with the needs and expectations of the region.
In response to the petition and concerns expressed, Senator Akpabio held a private meeting where he acknowledged the group’s concerns. In the interest of transparency, Akpabio revealed that President Tinubu is closely monitoring the performance of the Ministers. This statement suggests that a serious assessment is underway and that action may be taken in the future.
This situation raises critical questions about political representation and the accountability of elected officials to their constituents. The voice of the people, embodied by groups like AFM, is a vital element of democracy and must be heeded by the leaders in power. The outcome of this case will shed light on the capacity of the political system to respond to the legitimate aspirations and concerns of the people.
Ultimately, the question remains: what is the political future of Minister Umana Umana Ekpo and what changes could this petition bring about in the political landscape of Akwa Ibom? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the voice of the people should not be ignored in critical political decisions.