Marshall Ekperikpe Ekpo has vowed to mobilise voters against what he described as the combined political influence of the federal, state and local governments ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the people would no longer allow intimidation to determine their political choices.
Marshall, who has publicly identified Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as his biological father, made the declaration in a Facebook post on Saturday amid an ongoing public dispute over their alleged family relationship.
He said he was prepared to lead a people-driven political movement to challenge the influence of government officials during the forthcoming elections.
His remarks came after the minister reportedly spoke about the combined strength of the three tiers of government at a political gathering in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Responding to the minister’s reported comments, Marshall insisted that voters would have the final say in determining who represents them, regardless of the political resources available to those in power.
“The people might will be fully waiting for you,” he wrote, warning that the electorate was prepared to resist any attempt to influence its decisions through political pressure.
“We are no longer afraid of the federal might. The days of intimidation are over,” Marshall added.
The declaration signals his intention to make the 2027 elections a contest over political power, voter independence and the ability of candidates outside established government-backed structures to compete for public office.
Marshall also made it clear that he intended to play an active role in the contest rather than simply criticise the political situation from the sidelines.
He said he would personally lead the movement he described as the people’s might, urging voters to stand by their convictions and demand accountable representation.
“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.”
Marshall had previously indicated an interest in contesting for the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
His latest statement, however, does not provide further details about the political platform he intends to use or the specific steps he plans to take to organise the proposed movement.
He also directed part of his message at the minister, appealing to him to avoid allowing political disagreements to create further divisions within the family.
Marshall argued that political differences should not become a reason for family members to turn against one another.
“Let the will of the people prevail; stop creating more enemies to your children in the name of politics,” he wrote.
He concluded his post with the words, “One Love is the Way Forward.”
The minister had not publicly responded to Marshall’s latest declaration at the time of the report.
Beyond the political disagreement, Marshall’s public exchanges with Ekperikpe Ekpo have also centred on his claim that the minister is his biological father.
In an earlier Facebook post, Marshall challenged the minister to undergo a DNA test, arguing that a scientific examination would resolve the controversy surrounding their alleged 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 wrote.
The controversy intensified following reports about comments attributed to the minister’s spokesperson, Louis Ibah, concerning the minister’s sons and election contests.
However, the earlier reporting on the matter indicated that it could not independently establish whether the minister personally made the statement attributed to him.
No direct public denial of Marshall’s claimed paternity had been established in that reporting.
