As political realignments quietly gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi, and Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Helen Eno Obareki, have commended the Ibeno Local Government Council Chairman, Glory Effiong, for mobilising women in the area to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The commendation came during the Akwa Ibom State Women Sensitisation Tour on Civic Responsibilities held at the Ibeno Local Government Secretariat, Upenekang. The event, attended by women leaders, community stakeholders, and residents, highlighted the growing political awareness at the grassroots.

Addressing participants, Deputy Governor Eyakenyi described voter registration as both a civic duty and a strategic tool for strengthening women’s influence in governance. She urged women to take a frontline role in shaping the state’s political future, emphasizing that “Your PVC is your voice. The more we register and participate, the stronger our influence in determining leadership and advancing development in our communities.”

Eyakenyi also commended Ibeno women for their consistent support of Governor Umo Eno’s administration and urged those yet to register to do so promptly. She highlighted the administration’s empowerment initiatives under the ARISE Agenda, particularly the ARISE Cooperative Scheme, describing it as a catalyst for economic independence among women and rural households. She encouraged women to enrol in cooperative societies to access state-backed support programmes.

In a move signaling alignment across party structures, Eyakenyi called for continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Eno, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stressing that synergy among the three tiers of government is crucial for delivering democratic dividends.

Obareki reinforced the importance of voting as a civic responsibility, urging women to safeguard their PVCs and prioritise registration.

Earlier, Council Chairman Effiong expressed gratitude to Governor Eno for ongoing development projects in Ibeno and assured the state government of continued support from women and residents.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Inibehe Silas Etukudo, explained that the sensitisation tour was initiated by the Governor to deepen awareness of civic duties, particularly voter registration, and noted that a free medical outreach held alongside the event demonstrated the administration’s commitment to women’s health.

Similarly, the Special Adviser on the Bureau of Cooperative and Rural Development, Alice Ekpenyong, encouraged women to embrace cooperative membership as a platform for accessing empowerment packages to strengthen rural and household economies.