Gov. Eno consolidates good governance ahead of 2027 re-election bid

You & Your Governor with Pastor Solomon Essiet

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has intensified efforts to consolidate on good governance and people-oriented development programmes as momentum gradually builds ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The Governor’s activities within the week under review reflected a strong focus on infrastructure development, education reforms, aviation expansion, rural connectivity and political consolidation under the ARISE Agenda blueprint of his administration.

Governor Eno’s administration recorded major milestones during the week, including the submission of his APC nomination form for the 2027 governorship election, the successful completion of party screening, the release of N5.9 billion for education reforms, approval for the recruitment of 1,000 teachers, the commissioning of strategic projects and the creation of a standalone Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development.

Speaking on the political direction of the state, stakeholders and supporters described Governor Eno’s three years in office as impactful and transformative, insisting that the administration’s performance has strengthened public confidence in his leadership ahead of the next election cycle.

The Governor, while addressing Government House Correspondents after submitting his nomination form in Abuja, said his decision to seek another term was driven by the need to consolidate ongoing projects and deepen developmental strides already recorded across the state.

According to him, several projects initiated under the ARISE Agenda require continuity to achieve their full objectives.

“We will continue to pray, trust in God, and remain committed to serving our people. There is still so much work on the ground and many projects to complete.

That is why we are asking for another mandate to consolidate on the progress already made,” the Governor stated.
Observers say the administration’s strength lies in its people-centred approach, with interventions spread across healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and social welfare.

Supporters of the Governor point to initiatives such as the ARISE Compassionate Homes, healthcare insurance scheme, food security programme, youth empowerment initiatives, gratuity payments and rural development projects as evidence of inclusive governance.

Within the week, Governor Eno also announced the creation of a standalone Ministry of Aviation and Airport Development following the successful inauguration of international flight operations from the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, to Accra, Ghana.

Speaking shortly after arriving from Ghana aboard the inaugural international flight, the Governor described the development as a historic achievement for Akwa Ibom State.

“Today, after all the hard work put into the realization of this moment, here we are, finally back on an international flight from Accra, landing in Uyo for the first time in the history of this airport. The prefix international has finally been validated,” he said.

The Governor immediately directed the Managing Director of the Ibom Airport Development Company, Engr. Uwem Ekanem, to oversee the new ministry pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner.

The Ministry, according to the Governor, will coordinate policies and programmes aimed at positioning Akwa Ibom as a major aviation hub in Nigeria and West Africa.

Traditional rulers, political leaders and stakeholders, including the Oku Ibom Ibibio, His Eminence Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk, Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, and Senator Ekong Sampson, commended the Governor for what they described as a bold and visionary achievement.

Education also received significant attention during the week as the Governor approved the release of N5.9 billion for basic education reforms and intervention projects for 2025 and 2026.
Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Rt. Hon. Anietie Etuk, disclosed that the intervention would focus on comprehensive school rehabilitation, provision of classrooms, water, electricity, sanitation facilities and other learning infrastructure.

He further announced the recruitment of 1,000 additional teachers, especially ICT and computer science graduates, to strengthen digital education in public schools.

The SUBEB Chairman noted that the reforms would improve teaching standards and create a more conducive environment for learning across the state.

In further demonstration of commitment to grassroots education, the Governor commissioned the Lutheran Model School at Afaha Offiong in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, Governor Eno described the model school initiative as part of deliberate efforts to secure the future of children and expand access to quality education in rural communities.

The Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Essien Umoh, explained that the model schools were designed with modern facilities, including libraries, spacious classrooms and learning resources aimed at improving academic excellence.

The administration’s infrastructure expansion drive also continued with the commissioning of the 11-kilometre Owot Uta–Nung Oku–Edeobom Road linking Ibesikpo Asutan and Nsit Ibom Local Government Areas.

The Governor said the project was aimed at opening up rural communities, improving the movement of agricultural produce and stimulating economic activities.

Deputy Governor Eyakenyi disclosed that the administration had so far constructed over 1,300 kilometres of roads and 40 bridges across the three senatorial districts.

She noted that no local government area in the state was without ongoing projects in roads, healthcare, agriculture, education and other critical sectors.

The road project, executed in collaboration with the World Bank and the French Development Agency under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), drew commendation from development partners and community leaders.

World Bank representatives described Akwa Ibom as one of the leading states in infrastructure implementation and rural accessibility.

Residents of the benefiting communities also praised the Governor for fulfilling campaign promises and boosting economic and social activities through improved connectivity.

The Governor also carried out inspection visits to major tourism and commercial projects, including the Ibom International Convention Arena, Ibom Hotel and the ARISE Shopping City, as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s tourism and investment potential.

Political analysts believe the Governor’s growing focus on infrastructure, unity, social welfare and economic expansion is part of broader efforts to consolidate public support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Supporters argue that Governor Eno has successfully united political stakeholders across the state while maintaining peace and stability that continue to attract investors and development partners.

As activities toward the 2027 election gradually gather pace, the administration appears determined to sustain the momentum of development while strengthening its political structures through performance-driven governance.

For many residents, the coming months will test the administration’s ability to sustain its ambitious programmes, but supporters insist that the achievements recorded so far have already positioned Governor Umo Eno strongly for another mandate in office.