May 25 (THEWILL) — Former senator and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), James John Akpan Udoedehe, has emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Akwa Ibom State, declaring that the opposition is ready to challenge what he described as worsening poverty, unemployment and inequality under the current administration.
Speaking shortly after his emergence at the ADC governorship primary in Uyo, Udoedehe said his candidacy had strengthened opposition politics in the state ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former senator accused the present administration of implementing “bad and predatory policies” that, according to him, have failed to improve the living conditions of the people.
“You don’t have a policy to move people away from poverty. That is why we want to change you. It cannot continue to be normal for a few people to enlarge their families and circle of friends while the generality of our people live in poverty”, he said.
Udoedehe maintained that the ADC was entering the political contest to provide what he termed a credible alternative government capable of promoting accountability and inclusive development.
According to him, the party would focus on entrepreneurship, human capacity development and economic empowerment aimed at repositioning Akwa Ibom to compete favourably with neighbouring states.
“We are here to give our people an opportunity. We are coming to build our people and develop the state on its own strength”, he added.
The ADC governorship candidate stressed that opposition politics was a constitutional responsibility in a democratic system, insisting that his party would continue to scrutinise government policies and actions.
“We are not your enemy. We are an alternative government. It is our constitutional responsibility to show what has been done well and what has not been done well”, he stated.
Udoedehe further argued that the true measure of development should be based on how governments address poverty, unemployment and inequality.
“As a sociologist, I was taught that for any society to claim development, it must answer three questions: What happened to poverty? What happened to unemployment? What happened to inequality? If you cannot answer these questions, then you have failed.”
He, however, commended officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission for monitoring the ADC governorship primary, describing their conduct as professional and patient throughout the exercise.
