May 22, (THEWILL) — The ADC gubernatorial aspirant in Akwa Ibom State, Senator James Akpan Udoedehe, has declared that his administration would rank among the most progressive and prosperous in Akwa Ibom State if elected governor in 2027, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) prepares to hold its governorship primaries on Friday, May 22.
Speaking with journalists at his residence on Thursday, the former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory formally renewed his governorship ambition, promising to tackle poverty and unemployment across the state.
“My government would be one of the most progressive and prosperous ever. Just try me”, Udoedehe declared while appealing for public support ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
The former senator said his repeated bids for the governorship were driven by concern for the welfare of the people, insisting that the current economic realities in the state demand urgent intervention.
“Look around the State, there is poverty and unemployment everywhere. Therefore, I am inspired by my love for the people to contest as governor. If I get in, I will hit the ground running and in four years, I will have achieved the best for the people”, he said.
Udoedehe also dismissed claims that he had contested unsuccessfully too many times, clarifying that he had only appeared twice on the governorship ballot.
“To be a candidate, you must win your party’s nomination. On that premise, I have only been on the ballot twice; therefore, my gubernatorial candidacy has only been twice. Other times were not me”, he stated.
The ADC governorship aspirant further denied allegations that he compromised in previous elections, insisting that he had always fought for electoral victory rather than personal gain.
“I have never sold an election. I fought for elections. There is no government in Akwa Ibom State, past or present, that can pay me ₦100 million to compromise”, he declared.
He also warned youths against engaging in electoral violence or being used as political thugs. “Don’t allow anyone to ask you to kill for them because of election. Don’t be an instrument of destruction. Do unto others as you’ll want them to do to you. Karma is real”, he cautioned.
Udoedehe, who represented Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District in 1999 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), later served as Minister of State for the FCT before joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he became Interim National Secretary and member of the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.
He was the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in 2011 and later contested the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) after leaving the APC.
