The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John James Akpanuodedehe, has unveiled an eight-pillar development blueprint tagged The Prosperity Agenda, promising to inject ₦100 billion into the state's economy within his first 100 days in office if elected governor.
Akpanuodedehe, who unveiled the blueprint during his manifesto presentation in Uyo on Monday, November 2, 2026, said his administration would prioritise economic empowerment, employment generation, industrialisation, infrastructure development and improved social services to transform the state.
Presenting his vision under the theme, "Rich Land, Poor People," the ADC candidate said his proposed government would focus on empowering the people, growing the economy and delivering shared prosperity, insisting that the state's abundant resources must translate into improved living conditions for its citizens.
He described the Prosperity Agenda as a development blueprint designed to transform Akwa Ibom into a prosperous, secure, economically vibrant and investment-friendly state where opportunities would reach every community and development benefit every citizen.
Under the community empowerment pillar, Akpanuodedehe promised to inject ₦100 billion into the state's economy within his first 100 days in office through accessible financing for entrepreneurs, farmers, artisans, women and young people.
He said the intervention would stimulate economic activities, strengthen local businesses, create employment opportunities and unlock the productive potential of the people.
The governorship hopeful also promised to tackle poverty through transparent social protection programmes, targeted financial assistance, improved food security and sustainable support for vulnerable households.
He disclosed that his administration would introduce collateral-free microloans and a credit guarantee scheme, with beneficiaries' lists made public to ensure transparency, adding that access to the proposed financial support would not be tied to political party affiliation.
On education, Akpanuodedehe promised to restore eligible faith-based institutions to their original owners willing to take them back, while maintaining partnership with the government. He also pledged to reintroduce Grant-in-Aid for all government-approved faith-based institutions.
He said his administration would upgrade public schools with modern infrastructure, strengthen technical and vocational education, and sustain free and compulsory education from primary to secondary levels.
The ADC candidate further promised to pay bursaries to Akwa Ibom students in tertiary institutions, noting that education would remain a major instrument for human capital development and economic advancement.
On grassroots development and urban renewal, he proposed the establishment of 10 strategic government development centres across the state, one in each federal constituency, to promote balanced development, infrastructure, skills acquisition and economic opportunities.
He also promised to restructure Uyo capital city through the creation of five urban districts covering high- and low-density areas, with proper master planning, modern sewage systems and effective environmental sanitation.
As part of his grassroots governance agenda, Akpanuodedehe proposed the establishment of a fourth tier of government across the state's 2,664 villages, with monthly imprest to enable communities to respond promptly to local needs, improve security, promote accountability and maintain basic infrastructure.
He added that his government would collaborate with local government councils to construct well-planned 1.5-kilometre access roads leading to local government secretariats, alongside essential administrative facilities to improve efficiency and service delivery.
On employment, the ADC governorship candidate said his administration would equip young people with practical, digital and technical skills, expand apprenticeship opportunities, establish youth farm estates and promote local content employment.
He also pledged to reserve at least 25 per cent of government appointments for youths and women as part of efforts to promote inclusion and provide greater opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Addressing economic transformation and industrialisation, Akpanuodedehe promised to establish six major manufacturing industrial clusters to attract and support secondary industries in the state.
He said his administration would review and revitalise the Ibom Science Park to fulfil its original purpose, upgrade aviation maintenance facilities and complete the Ibaka Deep Seaport project in line with the manifesto of the ADC presidential candidate, without compromising its original status.
On healthcare, he promised to establish and modernise basic healthcare facilities in every ward across the state to ensure accessible and quality medical services.
He also pledged to provide affordable health insurance coverage for residents and introduce affordable medical services for elderly citizens.
The ADC candidate further identified electricity, road networks, drainage, flood control and affordable housing as critical components of his infrastructure development agenda.
He promised to provide free solar-powered streetlights and household solar solutions to improve electricity access in rural communities within his four-year administration, while introducing a systematic maintenance programme to prevent the deterioration of public infrastructure.
On potable water, Akpanuodedehe said his government would leverage the Atlantic Ocean through strategically located water treatment plants across the state's 10 proposed development centres in Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ikot Abasi, Ikot Ekpene, Itu, Ikono, Oron, Ukanafun and Uyo, before extending reliable water supply to surrounding local government areas.
He also identified agriculture and the blue economy as major enablers of his prosperity agenda, promising to provide farmers with extension services, mechanisation, improved agricultural inputs, seedlings, storage facilities, processing opportunities and market access.
The governorship candidate pledged financial support for fishermen and promised to revitalise the rice belt in Ini Local Government Area and other communities with agricultural potential through adequate funding for rice farmers.
On civil service reforms, he promised to build a transparent and motivated workforce through improved staff training, digital service delivery and fair access to welfare programmes.
He also pledged to provide housing and car loans for government workers, as well as educational support for at least four children from every staff member's family, covering nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary education.
On security and justice, Akpanuodedehe said the proposed fourth tier of government would give people at the grassroots greater access to governance and enable communities to work with law enforcement agencies and local authorities to strengthen security across the state.
He further promised to promote inclusive governance by encouraging the participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities, while establishing a diaspora desk to provide access and opportunities for Akwa Ibom people living outside the state.
On environmental and climate resilience, he said his administration would improve waste management, drainage systems and coastal protection, while ensuring that appropriate environmental impact assessments were conducted before development projects.
The ADC governorship candidate maintained that transparency would be a defining principle of his administration, pledging an open-book approach to governance and accountability in the management of public resources.
He said the Prosperity Agenda was aimed at ensuring that the wealth and resources of Akwa Ibom State translated into tangible benefits for ordinary citizens, stressing that development must be measured by the quality of life of the people rather than the abundance of natural resources.
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