2027: Minister’s son dares father over ‘federal might’ comment

Marshall Ekperikpe Ekpo, who has challenged Petroleum Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo to a DNA test over their alleged biological relationship, says he will lead a people-powered challenge to government influence in the 2027 elections.

Marshall Ekperikpe Ekpo, who has publicly identified the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as his biological father, has vowed to lead what he called the “people’s might” against the combined political influence of the federal, state and local governments in the 2027 general elections.

“The people might will be fully waiting for you,” he wrote, warning that the electorate would resist intimidation and insist on its right to determine who represents it.

“We are no longer afraid of the federal might. The days of intimidation are over,” Marshall said.

His remarks followed a political rally in Etim Ekpo, Akwa Ibom State, where PREMIUM TIMES reported that the minister declared that the federal, state and local government structures would combine their “might” ahead of the forthcoming elections.

In his Saturday post, Marshall, who, a months ago, indicated interest to represent Abak/Etim Ekpo/ Ika Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives said he would personally lead a campaign to challenge what he portrayed as the combined political power of the three tiers of government.

“It is not going to be a game as usual. This time, the people will speak, and their voice will be heard,” he wrote.

“Come 2027 general election, I will personally lead the people might. We will stand for what is right, without fear.”

He also appealed to the minister to avoid actions that could deepen political divisions within the family, calling on him not to create more enemies for his children through politics.

“Let the will of the people prevail; stop creating more enemies to your children in the name of politics,” he wrote.

.. ended with the line, “One Love is the Way Forward.”

The latest declaration comes on the heels of a controversy over Marshall’s paternity, which attracted public attention after he challenged the minister to undergo a DNA test to establish their alleged biological relationship.

In an earlier Facebook post reported by PREMIUM TIMES, Marshall called on the minister to submit to a DNA test, insisting that the exercise would settle questions about their relationship.

“Dear Father, if you truly believe in your integrity, then let us settle this once and for all through a DNA test. Truth does not fear examination, and facts will speak for themselves,” he said in the earlier post.

The controversy around paternity followed comments attributed in now deleted reports to the minister’s spokesperson, Louis Ibah, who was quoted as saying that none of the minister’s sons was contesting an election. The reported remarks fuelled questions about whether the minister was disputing Marshall’s paternity or distancing himself from his political activities.

PREMIUM TIMES reported in June that it could not independently verify whether the minister personally made the statement attributed to him. The newspaper also said it found no official statement issued directly by the minister expressly denying that Marshall was his son.

The minister is yet to react to the latest Facebook post by Marshall.

Marshall’s latest comments frame the forthcoming elections as a contest between the influence of government officials and the electorate’s power to choose its representatives.

The 2027 general elections are expected to test political parties, candidates and alliances across Nigeria, including in Akwa Ibom State.

Marshall’s declaration remains a political vow. Whether the position he has articulated resonates with voters will become clearer as political activities ahead of the elections intensify.