“Rhythm is a confluence that traps. Whether a drum of war that destroys, or a harmony of peace that assembles“.
Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo is an embodiment of true leadership, distinguished by his unwavering commitment to integrity, humility, and service. A devoted husband and family man, he exemplifies the values of stability and responsibility. His revered chieftaincy title of “Obongemem” (Lord of Peace) in his native Annang land, reflects his esteemed position as a champion of peace and harmony.
With a proven track record as a former Member of the House of Representatives, Ekpo has consistently demonstrated his loyalty, honesty, transparency, and accountability. He has continued to earn the trust and respect of his constituents. His unblemished reputation and commitment to truth in all his dealings have made him a beacon of hope and a role model for many. With these, he sets the stage for a lifetime of public service marked by distinction and excellence.
In politics Nigeriana, it is a familiar issue that good men who have the purity of heart to render selfless service are mostly targeted for political emasculation. Like the popular scenarios in dramatic performances, antagonists are always active in their wicked plot to wreck carnage and paralyze the good man. This is the exactitude of the situation with the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo.
As circulated in the media, the heavily sponsored piece of publication endorsed by ghosts, puts the Minister up for false accusations. He is wrongly accused of causing disunity in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and being a liability to the party’s unity and success in the state. But in reality, he is diligently promoting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
His meticulously articulated policies at the Ministry have clearly yielded impressive results. Moreover, allegations that he is “using fronts to corner strategic gas investment for himself” unambiguously exposes the sponsored publication as baseless, malicious, and emanating from desperate individuals seeking to destroy his reputation, undermine team spirit, and tarnish his commitment to the Ministry’s objectives.
In want of a bloated record to bolster their ego, they tagged the Minister as having abandoned his mandate in the Gas sector of the Petroleum Industry to rather pursue personal ambitions. They accused him of having friction with both Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio and Governor Umo Bassey Eno, thereby reducing the chances of APC’s victory in the 2027 elections. This writer has followed Minister Ekpo discreetly in the past years. Therefore, the following argument would suffice for the issues so far listed.
The allegations that the Minister is fomenting disunity within the APC, becoming a liability, are scurrilous. These are malicious and meticulously orchestrated character assassinations, perpetrated by mendacious political saboteurs who are peddling cheap and baseless lies in a desperate bid to tarnish the Minister’s sterling reputation, undermine his achievements, and destabilise the party.
These spurious claims are utterly devoid of truth and substance, and are a clear manifestation of the orchestrators’ perfidy. Truth is, a man who has championed the growth, unity and development of the party from day one cannot be seen to be causing disunity today. Evidence abound that Ekpo, a grassroots general has painstakingly built the party. From ruins, utter emptiness of strength and vigour, Ekpo has been a life jacket and a pillar for the party long before now. Question is, will Ekperikpe Ekpo now destroy the party after labouring hard to join hands with leaders of the party to build a now “United Akwa Ibom”?
The Ministry of Petroleum Resources, under the leadership of Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo, has been diligently implementing policies and programmes aimed at boosting Nigeria’s economy through the oil and gas sector. He has fully aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The smear campaign alleging that Ekpo has abandoned his mandate in the gas sector to pursue personal ambitions is nothing short of calumny, utterly devoid of truth and substance. The facts speak for themselves: the Ministry has made significant strides in promoting economic growth, energy security, and sustainable development through various initiatives.
The commissioning of the 40,000 MT LPG vessel, MT Iyaloja (Lagos), in August 2025, the Ministry’s participation in the Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunities Forum (NOGOF), and the establishment of technical working groups for gas development, are just a few examples of the Ministry’s commitment to its mandate. These initiatives demonstrate Minister Ekpo’s focus on increasing cooking gas availability, promoting local content, and developing a skilled workforce in the gas sector. The Ministry’s participation in the 24th NOG Conference and Exhibition further highlights its commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and promoting economic growth.
Its efforts to implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), develop gas infrastructure, and digitize upstream regulatory activities are all testament to its dedication to promoting transparency, accountability, and investment in the sector. These initiatives are designed to drive innovation, increase production, and ensure sustainable growth in the petroleum sector. Undoubtedly, these align with the Renewed Hope Agenda’s objectives. It is clear that Ekpo is fully engaged in his role, working tirelessly to promote his mission as minister.
The claim of discord between Ekperikpe Ekpo and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, as well as Governor Umo Eno, is nothing short of pure fiction. Ekpo enjoys an unbroken and cordial relationship with both leaders, built on mutual respect and trust. His relationship with Senator Akpabio, in particular, is that of a protégé and benefactor, with Ekpo having unfettered access to the Senate President. This close bond is a testament to the strong leadership and mentorship that Akpabio has provided to Ekpo, and it underscores the deep-seated trust between them.
The minister’s relationship with Gov Umo Eno is equally strong, transcending party lines. Even when they were in different political parties, Ekpo and Eno maintained a smooth and cordial relationship, with Ekpo regularly attending state functions in Akwa Ibom. This diplomatic rapport has been instrumental in facilitating a seamless fusion of political interests in the state. The notion of friction between Ekpo and these leaders is, therefore, baseless and without merit. Ekpo’s ability to maintain positive relationships with key leaders, regardless of party affiliations, speaks to his statesmanship and ability to build bridges, which are essential qualities for effective leadership and public service.
To further stretch this argument, it is important to recall the special recognition the APC state Chairman, Obong Stephen Leo Ntukekpo, accorded Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo during Gov Eno’s official movement to the APC on June 6, 2025. Ntukekpo’s eulogy of Ekpo’s exceptional leadership qualities as a major brain and fulcrum behind the governor’s movement to APC, is reflective of Ekpo’s pivotal role in facilitating the Governor’s transition. This gesture not only highlights the strong bond between Ekpo and Governor Eno, but also reinforces the notion that Ekpo is a unifying figure, capable of building bridges across party lines. The fact that his contributions were openly recognized and celebrated in such a significant moment, further debunks the baseless claims of friction between them. It solidifies his reputation as a respected and influential leader.
The actual words of Stephen Ntukekpo capture it better. He said, “Ladies and gentlemen, permit me to express my appreciation to a man who is so dear to my heart. I wholeheartedly commend the Honourable Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, for his noble role in being the voice behind the boardroom. His dedication, quiet diplomacy and deep belief in the unity of Akwa Ibom people have contributed immensely to the success we celebrate today. He has shown once again that leadership is about building bridges, and creating possibilities. The APC is indeed proud to have him as a shining example of selfless service.”
In inference, it is evident that the attacks on Ekperikpe Ekpo are driven by greed and envy. His decades-long reputation, built on purity of heart, dedication to service, and a passion for party building, cannot be easily destroyed by baseless allegations. As Minister of Gas Resources, he has achieved notable successes. But his true strength lies in his ability to unite and build formidable forces. As they say in Africa, “When a masquerade dances on the street, there’s something playing a drumbeat for him in the forest.”
While others may fuel drums of war, Ekpo’s unifying rhythm becomes the drumbeat that mobilises APC for progress and victory in 2027 and beyond. Of course testimonies abound of his role in persuading relevant authorities for the fusion of the Akwa Ibom United. Ekpo is therefore the political grandmaster whose leadership and vision become the rhythm that harmonises the party for a brighter future.
Atainyang is an experienced journalist and editor with WatchmanPost.
