Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, John James Akpanudoedehe, has alleged that political interests spent N22 million to frustrate his ambition of becoming governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Akpanudoedehe made the allegation during an interaction with journalists in Uyo at the weekend, opened up on what he described as years of political manoeuvring aimed at keeping him away from the governorship ballot. He alleged that some political actors were uncomfortable with his candidacy because, according to him, they wanted a leader they could control.
The former minister, who served in the FCT ministry between 2007 and 2008 and had earlier served in the Senate, said a politician he identified as Chief Udoaka once told him that he spent the money on behalf of former Governor Udom Emmanuel to prevent him from securing the APC ticket. His ministerial service and previous Senate career are independently documented.
“He said, ‘I spent on behalf of Udom Emmanuel N22 million to stop you from having APC, to stop you from being governor.’ He can go public, he can deny it.”
Akpanudoedehe said the alleged payment was only one example of the political resistance he had encountered over the years, insisting that his refusal to become politically dependent on powerful individuals had made him a target.
He recalled his 2011 governorship contest under the Action Congress of Nigeria, alleging that although he won the election, the result was subsequently altered, prompting him to seek legal redress. He said prominent lawyers, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and human rights lawyer Femi Falana, were among those who represented him.
The former senator also rejected the perception that his repeated governorship bids were driven simply by an appetite for political office, arguing that his political history included decisions in which, according to him, he placed the stability of the state above personal ambition.
“If God wants me to become governor, listen, he will not stop it. It will happen. How it will happen, I don’t know. If he doesn’t want me to become governor, I won’t be.”
He said his political philosophy was fundamentally opposed to the emergence of leaders who would be beholden to political godfathers, arguing that public office holders should have the courage to challenge policies that do not serve the people.
Akpanudoedehe, who was also a former national officer of the APC, said his experience within Nigeria’s political system had convinced him that Akwa Ibom needed a stronger opposition capable of questioning government rather than seeking accommodation with those in power.
He linked his political ambition to what he described as the paradox of a state with considerable resources but a population still struggling with poverty, unemployment and limited economic opportunities.
“Akwa Ibom is rich. The people are poor. It is the right time for our people to awaken this consciousness, so that we can harness all the wealth, everything that we have, for the betterment of our people.”
He said the priority of the next political leadership should therefore be to create an environment where government resources translate into jobs, support for talent, investment and improved living standards rather than merely expanding the influence of political office holders.
The former minister also criticised what he described as excessive political loyalty in the state, arguing that democracy would be weakened if citizens were expected to praise those in power instead of questioning their decisions.
He particularly questioned the independence of the state legislature, asking how lawmakers could effectively perform their constitutional duties if, as he alleged, the executive could interfere with the physical and institutional operations of the House of Assembly.
On the state’s Treasury Single Account system, Akpanudoedehe argued that financial controls alone could not eliminate corruption if political influence continued to determine access to government resources.
He also called for the immediate development of the Ibom Deep Seaport, saying disagreements over its name or precise location should not be allowed to hold back a project he described as capable of transforming the state’s economy and creating employment.
Akpanudoedehe’s latest intervention effectively places the battle over political independence, control of state resources and access to the 2027 governorship ballot at the centre of his emerging campaign narrative.
