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Dr Blessed Udo-Ekpo Foundation and G-10 endorse Governor Umo Eno for a second term, citing his administration’s people-oriented projects.
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Group identifies ₦31 billion for human capacity development, over 1,500km of roads and humanitarian programmes among reasons for its support.
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G-10 pledges to mobilise support for the governor and promote his ARISE Agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
October 09, (THEWILL) – The Dr Blessed Udo-Ekpo Foundation and the Governor Umo Eno 2027 & Beyond Advocates, known as G-10, have endorsed Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for a second term, citing his administration’s investments in infrastructure, human capacity development and social welfare.
The two groups announced their support at a joint press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Uyo on Thursday, saying the governor’s ARISE Agenda aligns with their humanitarian objectives and commitment to improving the welfare of residents.
The Founder of the Dr Blessed Udo-Ekpo Foundation, Dr Blessed Udo-Ekpo, said the endorsement was the first time his organisation had publicly declared support for a political officeholder, describing the decision as one informed by conviction rather than partisan political interests.
Udo-Ekpo, who said he had never held political office or contested an election, explained that the foundation’s humanitarian philosophy and the governor’s development agenda shared common objectives.
He listed the construction of homes for homeless families, provision of water projects, establishment of skills acquisition centres, agricultural support initiatives, model schools and hospitals, and empowerment programmes among the initiatives that influenced the endorsement.
The foundation also cited the establishment of an elderly care facility, support for small businesses through grants and the distribution of minibuses and tricycles, as well as the provision of food assistance to vulnerable residents across the state’s 31 local government areas.
Other projects highlighted by the group include the construction of more than 1,500 kilometres of roads, 1,042 housing units for civil servants, the proposed Medical City and the revitalisation of the Ibom Tropicana project.
The groups also pointed to the governor’s reported approval of ₦31 billion for human capacity development, amounting to ₦1 billion for each local government area, and financial support of ₦500,000 each to 1,776 private schools in the state.
According to Udo-Ekpo, these interventions reflect a development philosophy that prioritises social welfare, infrastructure and opportunities for residents, making the governor deserving of another term.
He said the foundation, established in 2005, had spent 21 years supporting underprivileged individuals and communities through scholarships, research grants, compassionate homes, water projects, vocational training and academic excellence awards.
The organisation also supports environmental sustainability initiatives and programmes aligned with relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Explaining the emergence of G-10, the foundation’s founder said the group was formed to unite individuals and support organisations already backing the governor, enabling them to pursue their advocacy through a common platform.
The group, he said, would mobilise support for Eno, promote the ARISE Agenda and communicate the administration’s development programmes to residents and audiences beyond the state.
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In an exclusive interview with THEWILL, Pastor John Archibong, Operations Lead of G-10, said the group intended to build a broad-based support network around the governor’s development agenda.
“Our mission is to mobilise citizens around the development issues that matter to Akwa Ibom. We believe that sustained investment in infrastructure, education, skills acquisition and social welfare deserves public engagement and scrutiny.
“Through G-10, we intend to communicate the administration’s achievements, encourage constructive participation and advocate continuity where policies and programmes are delivering measurable benefits to the people”, Archibong said.
He added that the group would continue to encourage residents and other support organisations to assess the administration’s programmes and participate in discussions about the state’s development priorities.
The endorsement comes as political activities and consultations gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The groups expressed confidence that a second term would provide the governor with an opportunity to consolidate ongoing projects and pursue additional development initiatives across the state.
They urged Akwa Ibom residents and other support groups to join their campaign for the governor’s re-election, stressing that their backing was rooted in the administration’s stated commitment to people-centred governance.
