December 30, (THEWILL) — Akwa Ibom youths, on Tuesday, publicly declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, citing what they described as policy gains and governance outcomes at the federal and state levels.
The endorsement was announced at a press conference in Uyo by the member representing Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urue Offong Oruko Federal Constituency and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth Development, who spoke on behalf of the group.
Reading from a prepared statement, the lawmaker said the youths’ position was informed by economic and governance policies implemented under the Tinubu administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, which he said had led to increased revenues for states and local governments.
According to him, the group observed that the policy shift had enabled subnational governments to execute development projects and social investment programmes, while also eliminating fuel scarcity during the past three Christmas seasons.
The youths also commended the leadership of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, saying his role in steering legislative support for executive policies had contributed to the passage and implementation of reforms described as “tough but patriotic.”
At the state level, the statement highlighted what it termed significant infrastructure and social investments under Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, including road construction, aviation infrastructure, education, healthcare, pension payments and youth-focused empowerment programmes.
The group claimed that nearly 1,000 kilometres of roads had been completed across Akwa Ibom State within two and a half years, alongside the expansion of aviation facilities and the strengthening of Ibom Air.
It also pointed to the payment of pension and gratuity arrears, youth appointments in governance, skills acquisition initiatives and the continuation of free and compulsory education.
The youths further stated that local government councils had recorded increased project execution, while youth participation in governance had expanded through appointments and community-based security initiatives.
Based on these developments, the group said it believed continuity in leadership at both federal and state levels was necessary to consolidate what it described as “landmark achievements” recorded so far.
The press conference ended with a formal declaration of endorsement for President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno, under the banner of Akwa Ibom Youth United.
THEWILL noted that no representatives of the endorsed leaders were present at the event, and there was no immediate reaction from opposition parties at the time of filing this report.
