The campaign would be anchored on the theme, “We Are Well Able,” drawn from Numbers 13:30 of the Bible, expressing confidence in Akwa Ibom’s capacity to achieve greater development
By Mmesoma Onwuka
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has unveiled his administration’s ARISE 2.0 development blueprint, targeting economic transformation through investment, tourism, agriculture, youth empowerment and job creation.
The Governor also challenged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council to mobilise at least two million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Eno spoke during the unveiling of the manifesto and inauguration of the APC State Campaign Council, describing the occasion as a defining moment in the state’s development journey.
He said the campaign would be anchored on the theme, “We Are Well Able,” drawn from Numbers 13:30 of the Bible, expressing confidence in Akwa Ibom’s capacity to achieve greater development.
Reflecting on his administration’s performance since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Eno said the ARISE 1.0 Agenda had provided a foundation for progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, housing, tourism and rural development.
He explained that ARISE 2.0 would build on the achievements by transitioning the state from an infrastructure-driven and civil-service-dependent economy into a productive hub driven by private-sector investment and commercial activities.
The Governor identified investment promotion, tourism development, commercial agriculture, industrialisation, infrastructure expansion and human capital development as key priorities of the new blueprint.
On the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, Eno described the project as a strategic pillar of the state’s economic ambition, expressing appreciation to President Tinubu for his support following progress in the relevant certification and approval processes.
He said the project, alongside tourism and agricultural initiatives, would position Akwa Ibom as a maritime, logistics, industrial and commercial destination.
Eno urged campaign council members to regard their appointments as a call to service, stressing the need for peaceful, issue-based campaigns and grassroots mobilisation across wards and polling units.
He also called for support for other APC candidates, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing the 2027–2031 period as a season of reward.
Speaking, Akpabio commended the Governor’s leadership, describing him as an “uncommon transformer 2.0.”
He urged Eno to remain focused on his people-oriented governance agenda and encouraged residents to support continuity, peace and good governance.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Campaign Council, Ambassador Assam Assam, SAN, pledged a disciplined and issue-based campaign.
He highlighted the administration’s achievements, including over 1,500 kilometres of ongoing and completed road projects, free and compulsory education, recruitment of more than 3,000 teachers, healthcare interventions, agricultural grants and youth entrepreneurship programmes.
He urged campaign council members to communicate these achievements to voters and mobilise support for the Tinubu administration’s economic and institutional reforms.
The event also featured a review of ARISE 1.0 by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Bare Morgan Ekanem, and a presentation on its socioeconomic impact by the State Statistician-General, Mr Uduak Isaac.