A’Ibom deputy gov not contesting for Senate – official

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, has refuted the rumours that he was contesting for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District seat in the National Assembly in 2023.
The refutal was contained in a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekikere Umoh, and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Monday.
Umoh in the statement said that Ekpo was not interested in aspiring for the senatorial district rather would use his energy to work with the Gov. Udom Emmanuel to ensure the success of his completion agenda.
“The attention of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been drawn to a string of spurious reports fabricated and placed in some publications, insinuating that the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Moses Ekpo has declared intention to vie for the Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District ticket in 2023.
“This is not only false but, represents a poor attempt by some political jobbers and outright miscreants to pitch His Excellency against some perceived political interests with the mischievous intent to please their paymasters while making financial capital out of the misadventure.
“For the benefit of the general public, we hereby restate the obvious; the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, has neither indicated nor entertained the very thought of running for the Senate in 2023. Nor, has he given any thought to the idea of another political office at the end of his tenure.
“It is on record that at a recent political event at Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, he had openly endorsed the aspiration of Mr Emmanuel Enoidem to represent Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District in the National Assembly,” Umoh said.
He added that Ekpo as an elder stateman was more concerned in ensuring justice and equity in the distribution of political offices to deserving political blocs in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure.
Umoh in the statement advised the public to discountenance any statements or publications to the contrary.