The All Progressives Congress, APC, Media Network in Akwa Ibom State has described the governorship campaign promises of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, as empty and lacking in substance.

The group was reacting to a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Mr Solomon Johnny, in which he unveiled the party’s “New, Better and Prosperous Akwa Ibom State Agenda” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a press statement signed by its Acting Director General, Comrade Uwem Bassey, and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, September 17, 2026, the APC Media Network said it would continue to counter every opposition promise with verifiable achievements of Governor Umo Eno.

According to the group, the comparison has become necessary to enable Akwa Ibom people to clearly distinguish between empty campaign promises and actual performance in governance.

On the ADC’s promise to eradicate poverty and improve the welfare of the people, the APC Media Network said Governor Umo Eno has already surpassed such promises through various empowerment initiatives.

It listed the interventions to include the N2 billion ARISE Traders Grant, N2 billion ARISE Farmers Grant, MSME grants of up to N5 million and the Town Square empowerment programme which has reached 7,688 beneficiaries across the state.

The group noted that more than N10 billion has so far been committed to empowerment programmes, in addition to the recent approval of N1 billion for each of the 31 Local Government Areas, amounting to N31 billion, for youth and women empowerment.

Reacting to the ADC’s promise to restore the dignity of Akwa Ibom people, the APC Media Network said Governor Eno is already delivering on that front through his compassionate and people-oriented programmes.

It cited the construction and delivery of 461 fully furnished ARISE Compassionate Homes to vulnerable families across the 31 LGAs, each with a N500,000 business grant, as well as free medical care, free maternal healthcare and homes for the elderly.

On workers’ welfare, the group stated that Governor Eno has implemented the N80,000 minimum wage, sustained the payment of 13th-month salary, approved N3.909 billion for the 2026 leave grants and paid N97.038 billion out of the N111 billion gratuity backlog inherited from previous administrations.

It added that the administration is building the prosperous Akwa Ibom promised by the ADC through massive infrastructure development, with over 1,300 kilometres of roads and more than 40 bridges either completed or ongoing.

Other landmark projects mentioned include the ARISE Palm Resort, Ibom Medical City, Aviation Village, the new terminal building at the Victor Attah International Airport, model schools, model primary healthcare centres, ARISE Youth Development Centres, housing projects and agricultural programmes.

The APC Media Network also highlighted Governor Eno’s financial prudence, noting that he has cleared N39.831 billion in inherited commercial bank debts without borrowing from any commercial bank.

According to the statement, the state’s domestic debt has dropped by N116 billion, while over N500 billion has been saved through the review of project costs, which it described as a display of frugality and financial discipline.

It maintained that the ADC’s “New, Better and Prosperous Akwa Ibom State Agenda” contains nothing new, as all the promises contained therein have already been translated into projects and direct benefits by the present administration.

The group concluded by questioning how a candidate can promise to do what Governor Umo Eno has already done and is still doing, adding that by repackaging the achievements of the current government as campaign promises, the ADC has shown it has nothing to offer the state.

The APC Media Network further challenged the ADC leadership to present a clear and realistic blueprint on how it intends to fund its promises, rather than relying on what it described as political sloganeering aimed at deceiving unsuspecting voters.

It argued that Akwa Ibom people are now more politically conscious and would not be swayed by recycled promises, especially when they are already witnessing practical governance that directly impacts their daily lives.

The group also called on supporters of the APC administration to remain steadfast and continue to project the achievements of Governor Umo Eno across all wards and local government areas in the state.

It assured that Governor Eno remains focused on delivering the ARISE Agenda and would not be distracted by what it termed the empty rhetoric of opposition parties desperate for relevance ahead of 2027.