Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State for the 2027 election, Senator John James Udoedehe, has described the State as wealthy but poor at 39, blaming successive administrations for failing to adequately harness the state’s resources and human capital to improve the living conditions of its people.
Udoedehe made the assertion during an interview with the Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) in Uyo, where he also criticised Governor Umo Eno for failing to fully utilise the expertise and intellectual capacity available within his cabinet.
According to him, the State’s abundant resources and revenue have not translated sufficiently into prosperity for ordinary citizens, stressing that governance must ultimately be measured by its impact on the people.
The former Minister of State said the continued poverty of residents was unacceptable in a State with the resources and calibre of human beings available to it.
He argued that government must move beyond programmes and projects to establish sustainable economic structures capable of creating jobs, stimulating businesses and lifting families out of poverty.
Udoedehe promised that if elected governor in 2027, his administration would put effective modalities in place to tackle poverty and maximise the human resources available to the State.
He said his government would deliberately assemble and empower competent people, giving them the opportunity to contribute their expertise to policymaking and development rather than merely implementing directives from the governor.
“If you look at this cabinet, there are a lot of educated people there. I know a lot of sound people in this government. Have they used them optimally? Have they been able to exercise who they are?” he asked.
Udoedehe also accused the state government of deliberately delaying the Ibom Deep Seaport project for reasons he described as selfish financial interests. He maintained that the project had secured the necessary approval during the administration of former Governor Udom Emmanuel, arguing that the state should concentrate on actualising the seaport instead of being distracted by arguments over its nomenclature.
The former minister, who said he contributed to the development of the project as a former member of the Nigerian Ports Authority board and Chairman of its South Finance Committee, described the seaport as a potentially transformative project that could help address poverty if properly executed.
He said the project had its origins in the administration of former Governor Victor Attah and urged the government to build the facility irrespective of whether it is called Ibaka, Oron or Ibom Deep Seaport.
The ADC candidate further questioned the sustainability of some projects initiated by previous administrations, arguing that development should not be reduced to the construction of projects that become moribund after a change of government.
He cited industries established under the immediate past administration, which he alleged were no longer functioning because adequate sustainability plans were not put in place.
Udoedehe said his proposed administration would prioritise projects and policies capable of surviving political transitions and delivering lasting economic value.
He maintained that Akwa Ibom could no longer afford to have immense resources, competent professionals and enormous economic potential without corresponding improvements in the lives of its citizens, promising that, if elected, he would deploy both the state’s material resources and its human capital more effectively to confront poverty and build a more productive economy.
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