February 24, (THEWILL) — As political realignments quietly gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, has intensified grassroots mobilisation, rallying women in Ibeno Local Government Area to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and take a frontline role in shaping the state’s political future.
Eyakenyi made the call on Monday during the Akwa Ibom State Women Sensitisation Tour on Civic Responsibilities at the Ibeno Local Government Council Secretariat, Upenekang.
The event attracted a large turnout of women leaders, community stakeholders and residents, underscoring the growing political consciousness at the grassroots.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Governor described voter registration as both a civic obligation and a strategic tool for strengthening women’s influence in governance.
“Your PVC is your voice. The more we register and participate, the stronger our influence in determining leadership and advancing development in our communities”, she declared.
Eyakenyi commended the women of Ibeno for their consistent support for the administration of Governor Umo Eno and urged those yet to register to do so without delay.
Beyond voter mobilisation, she spotlighted the administration’s empowerment drive under the ARISE Agenda, particularly the ARISE Cooperative Scheme, which she described as a catalyst for economic independence among women and rural households.
She encouraged women across the wards to enrol in cooperative societies to access state-backed support programmes.
In a move that signals alignment across party structures, Eyakenyi also called for sustained support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Eno and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stressing that synergy among the three tiers of government remains critical to delivering the dividends of democracy.
The delegation included the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Helen Eno Obareki, senior government officials and women leaders from across the state.
In her remarks, Obareki underscored that voting remains a fundamental civic responsibility that can only be exercised with a valid PVC, urging women to safeguard their cards and treat registration with urgency.
Earlier, Ibeno Council Chairman, Mrs Glory Effiong, expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for ongoing development projects in the area and assured the state government of the continued backing of the women and people of Ibeno.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Inibehe Silas Etukudo, explained that the sensitisation tour was initiated by the Governor to deepen awareness of civic duties, particularly voter registration, adding that the free medical outreach held alongside the event reflected the administration’s commitment to the health and well-being of women.
Similarly, the Special Adviser on the Bureau of Cooperative and Rural Development, Rt. Hon. Alice Ekpenyong, encouraged women to embrace cooperative membership as a platform for accessing empowerment packages aimed at strengthening rural and household economies.
With the 2027 electoral cycle still a year away, the outreach signals an early consolidation of grassroots structures, as the state government moves to position women as decisive stakeholders in the next round of democratic contests.
