Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has charged Local Government Chairmen to sustain collaboration with the state government to deepen development at the grassroots.
The Governor gave the charge on Wednesday, October 7, 2027 during a special breakfast meeting with all 31 Local Government Chairmen at Government House, Uyo, as they marked their second anniversary in office.
Governor Eno commended the council bosses for their development strides across their respective areas, noting that he was impressed with the healthy competition among them to deliver dividends of democracy.
He described the Chairmen as leaders at the grassroots and urged them not to rest on their oars but to double efforts in bringing development closer to the people.
The Governor stressed the need for Chairmen to live within their local government areas, saying such presence will enhance security and stimulate the local economy.
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He listed some of his administration’s interventions at the grassroots to include model primary schools, primary healthcare centres, compassionate homes and rural roads, assuring that his government remains committed to delivering more projects across the state.
On politics, Governor Eno called on the Chairmen to mobilise support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, himself and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his response, the State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Uyo Local Government, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, thanked the Governor for what he called his “irrevocable support” for local government administration.
Dr. Udo said the visit was part of their continuous engagement with the Governor to foster grassroots development and to brief him on programmes executed in the last two years.
He appreciated Governor Eno for strengthening local councils to undertake projects in road infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, sports, tourism and other sectors in line with the ARISE Agenda.
Speaking to Government House correspondents after the meeting, Dr. Udo, who was flanked by his deputy, Hon. Aniefiok Nkom, said:
“We also came to thank the Governor for all he has done for us at the grassroots, including building lodges for Local Government Chairmen to further bring them closer to the people at the grassroots.
“So, it is a holistic and continuous engagement, and I want to assure the people of Akwa Ibom State that we will continue to collaborate with His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, to deepen and expand the frontiers of development as far as the grassroots are concerned.”
He added that ALGON is irrevocably committed to supporting President Tinubu, Governor Eno and all APC candidates in 2027 because of their “superlative performance.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong, State Chairman of the APC, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo, and the Director General of Campaigns, Chief Assam Assam, SAN, lauded the Governor for his support to local government Chairmen and his grassroots development strides.
They urged the Chairmen to mobilise their people in support of the Governor, President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio and all APC candidates in 2027.
Highpoint of the meeting was the presentation of a compendium of activities of the Chairmen in the past two years in office to the Governor.
