By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed confidence that the PDP-led government in Akwa Ibom will ensure a fair playing field for all political parties in the upcoming local government elections.
Speaking at the APC campaign flag-off in Ikot Ekpene, Akpabio vowed to showcase numerous projects, appointments, and empowerment programs to dispel the notion that the All Progressives Congress (APC) does not have a presence in Akwa Ibom.
“I promised to elevate Akwa Ibom to the center of Nigerian politics, and we are only beginning. You haven’t seen anything yet,” Akpabio declared. “I will astonish you with projects, appointments, and empowerment.”
On his development plans, Akpabio outlined several initiatives:
– Launching the Godswill Obot Akpabio (GOA) Back To Farm Initiative with 600 bags of fertilizer per local government across all 31 LGAs.
– Delivering bags of rice along with the fertilizer.
– Completing 161 ongoing projects, including 14 ICT centers, eight new police stations, 30 schools, and modern market projects in each local government area in his senatorial district.
– Constructing seven new town halls and 14 primary health centers, as well as an Intensive Care Hospital to enhance local healthcare.
– Building 42 new roads and providing 25 transformers to improve electricity access in villages.
– Supporting students with the second phase of scholarships and implementing a back-to-farm program.
Akpabio also commended President Bola Tinubu for various appointments benefiting Akwa Ibom residents and announced a monthly stipend of N50,000 for 1,000 beneficiaries across the 31 LGAs. He pledged to complement state government food distribution efforts.
Echoing the sentiments of Ita Enang, the state APC LG Polls Campaigns Committee Chairman, Akpabio expressed his belief in Governor Umo Eno’s democratic principles. He assured that Governor Eno would respect the results of the elections and uphold democratic rights.