Marshall made the declaration in a Facebook post on Saturday, responding to comments attributed to the minister during a political rally in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

At the rally, the minister reportedly said the federal, state and local governments would combine their “might” to secure electoral victories for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Reacting to the remarks, Marshall said he would personally lead a campaign to challenge the political influence of the three tiers of government, insisting that voters should be free to determine their representatives without intimidation.

He warned that the 2027 elections would not follow what he described as the usual political pattern, arguing that the electorate was prepared to make its voice heard.

Marshall also urged the minister to avoid deepening divisions through political activities, appealing to him not to create further hostility involving members of their family.

His comments add a personal dimension to the growing political debate surrounding the minister’s remarks and the use of government influence during elections.

Marshall has previously expressed interest in representing the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. In June 2026, Premium Times reported that he emerged as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the constituency ahead of the 2027 elections.

The dispute has also drawn public attention because of the unresolved controversy over Marshall’s claimed paternity. In an earlier Facebook post, he challenged the minister to undergo a DNA test, saying the exercise would help establish the truth about their alleged biological relationship.

The controversy intensified after comments attributed to the minister’s spokesperson, Louis Ibah, reportedly stated that none of the minister’s sons was contesting an election. The remarks prompted questions about whether the minister was disputing Marshall’s claim of being his son or simply distancing himself from his political ambition.

However, Premium Times previously reported that it could not independently verify whether the minister personally made the statement attributed to his spokesperson. The publication also said it found no official statement directly issued by the minister expressly denying that Marshall was his son.

As of the latest report, the minister had not publicly responded to Marshall’s latest Facebook post.

The exchange comes as political parties and aspirants intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections. The minister’s remarks about combining government influence for electoral victories have raised questions about the need to protect the independence of public institutions and ensure that voters can freely choose their preferred candidates.

While political parties are entitled to campaign for electoral support, the conduct of public officials remains subject to democratic principles and the legal framework governing elections.

Marshall’s declaration signals his intention to challenge the political strategy described by the minister, although the extent of any campaign he plans to organise and its potential impact on the election remain uncertain.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia