The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, asserts that the party has the best offer for Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular ahead of the 2027 polls, calling for massive support to enable it to win and form the next government in Nigeria and the state.
Ace journalist and spokesman for the party in Akwa Ibom State, Solomon Johnny Esq., stated this in Uyo shortly after appearing on an Inspiration Radio morning show to discuss the party and its agenda for the state.
Johnny emphasised that opposition politics should focus on good governance, built around proposals intended to ease the burden borne by citizens due to the failures of the current government, which often becomes complacent and insensitive to the plight of the people it is supposed to serve.
He noted that the failure of the APC government and the hardships it has caused inform the decision of the ADC presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to promise a review and return of the petrol subsidy, the expansion and construction of seaports in Akwa Ibom State, and the reopening of other seaports in the South that were closed for political reasons, allowing a section of the country to control Nigeria’s blue economy if elected.
The spokesman added that Atiku Abubakar has also promised to open borders and enhance transborder trade between Nigerians and other African states, a business he described as legitimate and capable of creating more jobs, expanding the economy, and reducing crime and insecurity.
Johnny stated that the essence of these proposals is to cut down the cost of energy and bring down inflation, allowing citizens to breathe easier.
Speaking about the home front, Johnny said Atiku Abubakar’s subsidy proposals align perfectly with Senator John Udoedehe’s Economic Stimulus Plan, wherein he has always promised to select the active population and make grants of N1,000,000 each available to 1,000 individuals in each of the 31 local government areas of the state to reduce poverty, hunger, and unemployment among youths, based on the needs of the people.
He also discussed the Fourth Tier of Government plan by Akpan Udoedehe, wherein the party plans to make each village council a well-constituted arm of government, funded to perform development, security, and leadership tasks at the community level.
Johnny stated that the party’s candidates for the House of Assembly, National Assembly, and governorship are properly aligned with the presidential agenda to improve the lives of Nigerians and Akwa Ibomites in 2027.
He called on Akwa Ibomites to support and promote the party to victory in the overriding interest of the state and nation.
He said, “Our claim is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policy has failed to yield the results he promised in less than a year.
“When President Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy in 2023, he said it would create more jobs, reduce our debt, and that in about a year, poverty would decrease as the economy would have reset.
“But almost four years later, life in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State is a survival of the fittest.
“Poverty has risen from 45% in Nigeria to about 67% now, and in Akwa Ibom State, it has risen from 53% to 71%. That is factual and statistical.
“The simple explanation is that President Tinubu and Pastor Umo Eno have failed, and voting for them is simply reinforcing that failure and making things worse.
“The ADC is presenting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to Nigerians as a better alternative to Tinubu and Senator John Udoedehe as a better alternative to Pastor Umo Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“These are well-known, time-tested politicians with clean character and a track record of performance wherever they have served.
“We have senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates, and House of Assembly candidates in all the constituencies who, when elected, will support by making laws that will provide a legal framework for the proposals we are campaigning for.
“My emphasis is a plea for the masses to support the ADC in the next poll by voting for all our candidates in all the elections to ensure we have a country and state that provides for its citizens.”
When asked whether the ADC’s plans are workable and whether Atiku Abubakar and Akpan Udoedehe can be trusted to deliver if elected, Solomon Johnny, a former state publicity secretary of the APC, responded: “Atiku Abubakar and Akpan Udoedehe are not saying anything new.
“They are restating the truth that Nigerians already know, which is that subsidy and economic stimulus plans are the shock absorbers that protect citizens from harsh economic realities.
“Government exists to make life easier and better for the citizens and that is why even Tinubu himself, opposed Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP then from removing subsidy.
“And by the way, what is the essence of government if it cannot intervene with simple initiatives like subsidies to reduce hardship?
“Everything the ADC has promised is workable and our candidates can be trusted to deliver on these promises if elected”.
