2027: Akwa Ibom youths endorse Tinubu, Akpabio, Eno for second term, cite policy achievements

Youths in Akwa Ibom State, under the auspices of Akwa Ibom Youth United, on Tuesday, endorsed President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno for a second term in office beyond 2027, highlighting the positive policy achievements and governance results at both the federal and state levels.

The endorsement was announced during a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre in Uyo by the member representing Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urue Offong Oruko Federal Constituency and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, Hon. Martin Esin, who spoke on behalf of the group.

Esin, in his statement, said the youths’ position was informed by economic and governance policies implemented under the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said had led to increased revenues for states and local governments.

According to him, the group observed that the policy shift had enabled subnational governments to execute development projects and social investment programmes, while also eliminating fuel scarcity during the past three Christmas seasons.

Esin stated, “Through the instrumentality of the Renewed Hope Agenda, this is the first administration since 1999 that has demonstrated courage to take very tough decisions in order to set the nation on the path of genuine economic growth and sustainable development as well as implement policies that promote true federalism.

“We are all aware of how successive administrations lamented about fuel subsidy as public revenues were taking an inexorable downturn, development halted across states with most states incapable of meeting basic obligations like payment of salaries to staff and pensions to retirees.

“Today, the story is different. With increased revenue occasioned by the removal of the controversial fuel subsidy, life has returned to the States and Local Government Areas with developmental projects dotting the landscape and social investment programmes beneficial to the youths, children, and the aged implemented at all levels of government.

“Significantly, this is the third consecutive Christmases Nigerians have experienced in the recent history of their nation without fuel scarcity, leading to endless queues at filling stations with corresponding impact on movements as well as prices of goods and services”.

The youths also commended the leadership of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, saying his role in steering legislative support for executive policies had contributed to the passage and implementation of reforms described as “tough but patriotic.”

At the state level, the statement highlighted what it termed significant infrastructure and social investments under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, including road construction, aviation infrastructure, education, healthcare, pension payments and youth-focused empowerment programmes.

The group claimed that nearly 1,000 kilometres of roads had been completed across Akwa Ibom State within two and a half years, alongside the expansion of aviation facilities and the strengthening of Ibom Air.

It also pointed to the payment of pension and gratuity arrears, youth appointments in governance, skills acquisition initiatives and the continuation of free and compulsory education.

The youths further stated that local government councils had recorded increased project execution, while youth participation in governance had expanded through appointments and community-based security initiatives.

Based on these developments, the group said it believed continuity in leadership at both federal and state levels was necessary to consolidate what it described as “landmark achievements” recorded so far.

“Pastor Umo Eno, PhD is revolutionizing governance through the ARISE Agenda. Under his leadership, Akwa Ibom State is an emerging aviation hub in the nation with the strengthening of Ibom Air, completion of the International terminal and other facilities at the Victor Attah International Airport as well as the ongoing construction of Aviation Village.

“In just two and a half years, the administration of His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, has completed the construction of nearly 1,000 kms of roads across the state. The impact of this gargantuan effort on youth employment and the economic prosperity of the state can not be quantified.

“For the first time in the history of Akwa Ibom State, people-oriented projects such as the ARISE compassionate homes, model schools, and model healthcare centres are simultaneously spread across the thirty one Local Government Areas.

“To underscore his interest in the welfare of the people, especially the elderly, he has so far spent about Seventy Billion Naira to clear the backlog of gratuities and pensions which accumulated over many years”

Highpoint of the occasion was a formal declaration of endorsement for President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno, under the banner of Akwa Ibom Youth United.