Former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, has justified Governor Umo Eno’s re-election bid on what he described as the governor’s fulfilment of his first-term promises, arguing that continuity in governance would enable Akwa Ibom State to consolidate its development gains and pursue a more ambitious economic agenda.
Umana said Eno had demonstrated that he was a leader who kept his word, adding that the governor’s newly unveiled ARISE 2.0 blueprint provided a clear direction for taking the state beyond basic infrastructure development to sustainable wealth creation and economic prosperity.
He made the remarks in Uyo while reacting to the governor’s presentation of his 2027–2031 manifesto and the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Campaign Council.
The former minister cited investments in rural roads, agricultural support and social welfare as evidence of the administration’s first-term performance, saying these had laid the foundation for the next phase of development.
“His Excellency the Governor has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he is a leader who keeps his word. Having laid a solid foundation in his first term through rural roads, agricultural support, and social welfare, this second-term agenda is designed to increase the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and put real income into the pockets of everyday Akwa Ibomites,” he said.
Assessing the new manifesto from an economic perspective, Umana said ARISE 2.0 represented a deliberate transition from basic infrastructure and public-sector spending to a productive economy driven by private investment, value addition and capital attraction.
“What excites me most about ARISE 2.0 is the deliberate structural transition from mere consumption and basic infrastructure to productivity, value addition, and capital attraction,” he stated.
He identified tourism, agro-allied investments, technical skills development and job creation as strategic components of the blueprint capable of addressing unemployment and reducing the state’s over-reliance on federal allocations.
Umana also highlighted the proposed Uyo City Centre Project, expansion of specialist medical facilities and the positioning of Akwa Ibom as a major hospitality and conference destination as initiatives that could attract investment and stimulate economic activities.
According to him, the projects would generate opportunities for small and medium-scale enterprises, local artisans, transport operators and young entrepreneurs through increased business activities and the influx of visitors and investors.
“When you build a world-class healthcare hub and city centre, you are not just erecting physical structures; you are creating a thriving service economy,” he added.
The economist maintained that the proposed development strategy would have a wider impact on the state’s economy by expanding its productive base, creating employment and improving the incomes of residents.
He consequently called on Akwa Ibom people at home and in the diaspora to support Eno’s second-term ambition, insisting that policy continuity and political stability were important to translating the ARISE 2.0 proposals into tangible results.
“Supporting Governor Eno for a second term is a sound economic decision for Akwa Ibom State,” Umana said, adding that the APC was fully mobilised to ensure the implementation of the governor’s development blueprint.
