Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Michael Bush Mbaba, has promised that his administration will guarantee 100% implementation of autonomy for local governments, the judiciary, and the legislative arm of government in accordance with Nigerian laws if elected governor in 2027.
The proposals form part of his 8-point development agenda, titled “Akwa Ibom for All… The People First,” which he unveiled on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during a world press conference at the NUJ Press Centre in Uyo.
Bush’s commitments to autonomy focus on ensuring that local governments become genuine centers of grassroots development, allowing elected officials the freedom and resources to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities.
The ace broadcaster emphasised that he would ensure a judiciary that is financially independent, enabling it to dispense justice without interference, intimidation, or political influence.
He also stated that the state House of Assembly will enjoy the independence necessary to perform its legislative, oversight, and representative functions.
Additionally, Bush pledged to ensure the full application of public procurement laws in the award and execution of government contracts, making every procurement process transparent, competitive, accountable, and guided by established laws to prevent public contracts from being treated as political rewards or instruments for enriching select groups.
The manifesto outlines Mr. Bush’s firm commitments and aspirations, covering education, healthcare, pension reform and gratuity, employment and economic opportunities for graduates, and housing for low-income earners.
Other areas of focus include community-based security partnerships, poverty reduction and business empowerment, food security and agricultural development, industrialisation and investment promotion, affordable and reliable electricity, environmental management, and economic development.
He stated that Akwa Ibom needs a large-hearted and liberal-minded governor who will appropriately utilise the state’s vast resources to promote economic prosperity, political freedom, and social harmony for the people.
“We must do away with
anybody and everyone whose pastime in government is to corner our collective patrimony while simultaneously worsening poverty.
“We must hire a Governor Michael Bush who shall never seek to buy out our state or land. We must change anybody and everybody bent on using hardship in time of plenty to dehumanise and devalue our people”, he asserted.
