2027: Udoedehe pledges N100bn economic injection in 100 days

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, has pledged to inject N100bn into the state’s economy within his first 100 days in office if elected governor in 2027.

Akpanudoedehe announced the proposal on Monday in Uyo while unveiling his manifesto, titled Rich Land, Poor People, Kill Poverty Before Poverty Kills Us.

He said the manifesto, built around what he called the Prosperity Agenda, would prioritise economic empowerment, job creation, investment and equitable development across the state.

“Our promise is a government that empowers the people, grows the economy and delivers shared prosperity,” he said.

He added that the proposed N100bn economic stimulus would provide accessible funding for entrepreneurs, farmers, artisans, women and young people to expand businesses, create jobs and stimulate economic activities.

The ADC candidate also promised transparent social protection programmes, collateral-free microloans and a credit guarantee scheme. He said the names of beneficiaries would be made public, regardless of their political affiliations.

On education, Akpanudoedehe pledged to return eligible faith-based schools to their original owners who were willing to take them back, restore grant-in-aid and upgrade public schools.

He also promised to strengthen technical and vocational education, pay bursaries to students from the state and sustain free and compulsory education from primary to secondary school.

As part of his development plan, he proposed establishing 10 strategic development centres, one in each federal constituency, alongside five properly planned urban districts in Uyo.

He further proposed creating a fourth tier of government across the state’s 2,664 villages, with monthly financial allocations to enable communities to address their immediate development needs.

On youth employment, the former senator promised to expand digital and technical skills training, apprenticeship programmes and youth agricultural estates.

He also pledged to promote local content and reserve at least 25 per cent of government appointments for young people and women.

In the industrial sector, Akpanudoedehe said his proposed administration would establish six major manufacturing clusters, revitalise the Ibom Science Park, upgrade aviation maintenance facilities and complete the Ibaka Deep Seaport project.

His manifesto also outlines plans to establish basic healthcare facilities in every ward, introduce affordable health insurance and provide free solar-powered streetlights.

Other proposals include affordable housing, expanded access to clean water through treatment plants, agricultural development, investment in the blue economy and support for fishermen.

On governance, he promised greater transparency, improved welfare for civil servants and access to housing and car loans.

He also proposed educational support for four children of every civil servant, covering nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary education.

The manifesto further promises improved security and greater inclusion of women, persons with disabilities and Nigerians in the diaspora.

The proposals form the ADC candidate’s outline of his development priorities ahead of the 2027 governorship election.