Eno Seeks Second Term, Promises Four More Years to Complete Development Projects

Eno Seeks Four More Years, Unveils ARISE 2.0 Manifesto as APC Inaugurates Campaign Council
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has appealed to residents of the state to support his second-term ambition, declaring that he needs another four years to consolidate ongoing development projects and deliver more dividends of democracy.
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Eno made the appeal on Friday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Campaign Council and the unveiling of his 2027–2031 governorship manifesto, tagged ARISE Agenda 2.0, at ARISE Palm Resort, Uyo.

Addressing party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders at the event, the governor maintained that his administration had made significant progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing and economic development but needed continuity to complete ongoing projects and implement its new development blueprint.
He identified Performance, Character, Consolidation and Continuity as the four major pillars of his campaign, urging the electorate to give him another mandate to sustain the achievements recorded during his first term.

Highlighting his administration’s achievements, Eno said the government had constructed over 1,500 kilometres of roads, 43 bridges and more than 1,048 housing units, while also introducing 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for public transportation.
He, however, acknowledged that several projects remained ongoing, stressing that a second term would enable his administration to complete them.

On rural infrastructure, the governor promised to construct 10 kilometres of roads in each of the state’s 31 local government areas under the 2027 budget, amounting to 310 kilometres.
He also pledged an additional 500 kilometres of rural roads across the state and 1,000 more ARISE Compassionate Homes for vulnerable citizens across the 369 wards.

As part of efforts to improve access to potable water, Eno announced plans to establish clean water facilities in every ward through the ARISE-GIFA Water of Life Project.
According to him, each facility will feature a 15,000-gallon water tank, an elevated tower and a solar-powered pumping system.

In Uyo, the governor unveiled plans for a new Government Reserved Area (GRA) comprising 1,000 housing units for middle-income earners.
He also promised to reclaim more than 1,500 hectares of land around the old Uyo Village Road dumpsite as part of the state’s urban renewal and development plans.

On education, Eno declared a State of Emergency in the sector, announcing plans to establish new model secondary schools in Eket and Ikot Ekpene.
He further disclosed that his administration would increase annual bursary payments for students of Law, Medicine and Engineering from ₦50,000 to ₦250,000, while students in other disciplines would receive ₦200,000 beginning from the 2027/2028 academic session.

The governor also disclosed that his administration had spent over ₦6.8 billion on examination fees for 1,079,396 students during its first term.
In the health sector, he promised to complete the Ibom Medical City, which will be anchored by a 350-bed hospital offering 27 medical specialties.

The facility, he said, would also include a diagnostic centre, blood bank and air ambulance services.
For youth development, Eno announced plans to establish Youth Development Centres targeting 31,000 young people annually, alongside a Creative Village equipped with film and television production studios and a Sports Academy in Eket.

On industrialisation and economic expansion, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to developing the proposed 14,517-hectare Ibom Industrial City and Deep Seaport.

He said the project was projected to generate over 300,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities by 2050, adding that presidential approval had been secured for its financing arrangements.
The governor also announced plans for an Oron Maritime Hub featuring a ferry terminal and cold-storage facilities, while the Itam Industrial Park would accommodate leather and garment manufacturing industries.
He further disclosed that the Aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility would commence full commercial operations, with a cargo terminal expected to follow.

In his vision for Uyo, Eno unveiled plans for a modern City Centre featuring a two-level roundabout and a City Tower inspired by the Akwa Ibom State Coat of Arms, representing the state’s oil resources, cultural heritage and coastline.

Umo Eno

He also promised to complete major projects, including the Ibom Convention Arena, Ibom International Market in Ikot Ekpene and the Court of Appeal Complex in Uyo.
On security, the governor pledged to strengthen the state’s security architecture through the new Command and Control Centre, while also promising to complete the broadcasting complex of the New Ibom Broadcasting Corporation.

Eno linked his administration’s development ambitions to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, arguing that federal reforms had created additional financial opportunities for states to execute infrastructure and development projects.
The governor is seeking re-election alongside his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi.

He urged APC supporters and residents of the state to mobilise for the February 6, 2027 governorship election, expressing confidence in the party’s prospects.
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EFCC Arraigns BDC Operator for Alleged N446.5m Fraud in Awka

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Chidiebere Christian Okeke, a Bureau De Change operator before Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, Anambra State.
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Okeke, alongside his two companies; Paderlambs Investment Limited and Ishiugbo Nigeria Limited were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N446, 579, 629. 00 (Four Hundred and Forty-six Million, Five Hundred and Seventy-nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira).

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Chidiebere Christian Okeke, Paderlambs Investment Limited sometime between October, 2023 and November, 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud, did obtain from Izuchukwu Okeke of Alphard Candy and Sons Limited, an aggregate sum of Four Hundred and Forty-six Million, Five Hundred and Seventy-nine Thousand, Six Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira (N446, 579, 629. 00) which sum was initially paid into the account of Nwadili David Chukwuka, trading under the name and style of Ifeabata Ventures and subsequently transferred into the bank accounts of Padrelambs Investment Limited and Ishiugbo Nigeria Limited respectively, which you claimed to have remitted the RMB equivalent of the said sum to Izuchukwu Okeke’s business partner in China, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

Count Three reads: “That you, Chidiebere Christian Okeke, sometime in 2023 in Onitsha, Anambra State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High court of Nigeria, did make forged telex documents, purportedly emanating from JCI General Trading Pty Limited, 4169 Brisbane, Australia, knowing same to be false or with intent that the said documents might be used or acted upon as genuine, to the prejudice of Izuchukwu Okeke, the Managing Director of Alphard Candy and Sons Limited and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 1 (2) (C) of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004”.

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him and in view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Michael Ikechukwu Ani prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS in Awka.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to November 19, 2026 for hearing of bail application while the defendant was remanded at the NCoS.

EFCC

The defendant was handed over to the Commission on October 30, 2024 by the Department of State Services with a petition by one Izuchukwu Okeke who claimed that between September 2023 and November the same year, he gave the said sum to one Nwadili David Chukwuka, another BDC operator to remit the Renminbi, RMB equivalent to his business partner in China.

According to the petitioner, Chukwuka informed him that the money was given to the defendant to transmit the same to his partner. When confronted, the defendant admitted receiving the money but instead of transmitting the same, he decided to refund the money by issuing a dud cheque.
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Umahi Directed All Zonal Directors to Ensure Motorability of Major Highways Ahead of Festive Season

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has directed all Zonal Directors, Federal Controllers of Works (FCW) and Engineer’s Representatives (E.R.) to intensify field supervision and urgently rehabilitate failed sections of major Federal highways across the country to guarantee safe and uninterrupted movement of people, goods and services ahead of the forthcoming festive season.
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The Minister gave the directive on Friday, 13 November, 2026, during a strategic meeting with the Coordinating Directors, Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation (C&R) and Bridges and Design (B&D) and the Zonal Directors, where he emphasised that ensuring the motorability of major highways must take priority over ongoing permanent construction works, particularly as Nigerians prepare for increased travel during the upcoming festive period.

Expressing concern over situations where contractors focus on permanent construction work while other sections of the same roads remain impassable, Umahi said such situations would no longer be tolerated. He instructed the Zonal Directors to return to the field immediately and ensure that major highways are made motorable within the next three weeks through immediate palliative interventions.

These interventions, he explained, should include the removal of failed sections, filling of potholes and the application of sharp sand, stone base, cement stabilisation, binder and wearing courses, as appropriate to the condition of the affected road.

The Minister explained that the directives are aimed at alleviating the hardship experienced by road users, especially during the festive season when the movement of passengers, goods and services is expected to increase significantly across the country. He noted that the Federal Government inherited numerous failed roads requiring urgent attention, while the scale of infrastructure challenges and funding constraints necessitate practical interventions that provide immediate relief to motorists even as permanent construction works continue.

Engr. Umahi identified several major highways requiring urgent attention, including the Zaria–Funtua- Gusau- Sokoto, Mararaba–Keffi, Abuja–Lokoja, Kano–Katsina, Keffi–Makurdi, Makurdi–Enugu, East-West, Benin Bypass, Benin–Warri, Benin-Asaba, Warri–Oleh, Kano-Shuwarin, and the Bauchi–Gombe Roads, as well as other critical highways across the country.

He also directed immediate rehabilitation of major highways in the South-East, particularly the Enugu–Port Harcourt, Enugu–Aba, Abakaliki–Enugu, Abakaliki–Gojia, and Aba–Port Harcourt roads.

The Minister specifically instructed contractors handling the affected projects to cooperate fully with the Ministry’s field officers and undertake the necessary palliative works. He stressed that no contractor should allow the pursuit of permanent construction targets to compromise the immediate safety and convenience of road users.

He warned that any contractor who failed to comply with the directive must be reported without delay, assuring that appropriate action would be taken against contractors found wanting.

Engr. Umahi further charged the Zonal Directors to personally inspect projects, engage contractors and submit comprehensive reports detailing the condition of each road, the extent of work executed, identified challenges, contractors’ commitments and the specific interventions required.

To ensure effective coordination and real-time monitoring, he directed that a dedicated WhatsApp platform be established for the exercise. He emphasised that reports submitted through the platform must clearly indicate the names of responsible officers, project locations, contractors, identified challenges and recommendations for resolving outstanding issues.

The Minister also announced that he would commence visits to the various zones from Monday to assess compliance with the directive and evaluate the performance of Zonal Directors and other supervising officers.

Responding to a question by the Deputy Director, Highways, North-East, Mr. Berida Onayesemi, on the appropriate action to take where failed road sections had no contractors currently working on them, Umahi directed that such locations must be reported immediately for urgent intervention.

He explained that emergencies, particularly those involving bridges at risk of collapse or roads that have been cut off, require immediate action rather than delays occasioned by bureaucratic procedures. He assured the officers that the Ministry would engage competent contractors to address such emergencies and obtain the necessary approvals and funding from the President.

To facilitate effective field operations, the Minister assured the Zonal Directors that adequate logistical support, including accommodation, fuelling and vehicle hire where necessary, would be provided.

He emphasised that the assignment should not be regarded as a punitive exercise but as a collective responsibility and sacrifice towards ensuring that Nigerians enjoy safer, more accessible and reliable Federal roads.

In a move to encourage commitment and healthy competition among the zones, Umahi announced that outstanding performance in ensuring the motorability of major highways would be recognised and rewarded through special awards.

Umahi

He reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to improving road infrastructure nationwide, stressing that the Ministry must take every necessary measure to prevent avoidable hardship for Nigerians travelling on Federal highways, particularly during the forthcoming festive season and the early-year electoral period.

The Minister called on all Zonal Directors, Controllers of Works, Resident Engineers and project supervisors to demonstrate urgency, dedication and accountability in executing the assignment, declaring that there would be no excuses for failure to comply with the directive.

Mohammed A. Ahmed,
Director, Information and Public Relations.
14 November, 2026.
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