The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State for the 2027 election, Senator John James Udoedehe, has called on Akwa Ibom sons as daughters to get ready to exercise their franchises come next year's governorship election by voting out any non performing public office holder and support visionary candidates.
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.
Regarding the Ibom Deep Seaport project, Udoedehe criticizes the state government for purposefully postponing it for "selfish reasons" and notes that the project had already received the required approval under the previous governor, Udom Emmanuel.
The former minister claimed that the government was delaying the Ibom Deep Seaport project because its long-term financial interests had not been sufficiently taken into account in the seaport plan during an interview with reporters in Uyo.
In his words: “Why they are dancing around Ibom Deep Seaport is that they have not seen their interests factored in properly. Don’t listen to them. Their interest in how to make money for life has not been factored in properly."
“We have the best seaport in the Gulf of Guinea. Obong Attah started it. I don’t claim credit; I have made my contribution as a member of the board. Don’t buy that story; they want to use it for campaign,” he added.
Udoedehe stated that the initiative originated under former Governor Victor Attah's administration and that, as a member of the NPA board, he had helped and contributed to its materialization.
Udoedehe also 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.
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 also questioned the sustainability of some government projects, arguing that development programmes should be designed to outlive individual administrations.
When asked how he intends to eradicate poverty in the state, 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 also 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.
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.
He also mentioned enterprises and industries that had been founded during the previous administration, which he claimed were no longer operational due to a lack of proper sustainability strategies.
According to Udoedehe, his proposed administration would give priority to initiatives and policies that can withstand political shifts and produce long-term economic benefits.
He insisted that Akwa Ibom could no longer afford to have vast resources, skilled professionals, and enormous economic potential without corresponding improvements in the lives of its citizens. If elected, he pledged to use the state's human capital and material resources more wisely in order to combat poverty and create a more productive economy.