…says gov’s elite-centered fiscal behaviour undermines social equity
By Our Correspondent
The Akwa Ibom Leadership and Development Network (AILDN) has reviewed Governor Umo Eno’s governance journey in the last two years of his administration in Akwa Ibom State expressing deep concern over what it described as concern that the current lack of a coherent and implementable framework for inclusive and sustainable development in the State.
The group which made its position known through a communique issued at the end of a roundtable meeting held in Uyo on Novembe1, 2025.
Speaking in it’s communique, AILDN while x-raying Governor Umo Eno administration developmental strides in key sectors like education and health sectors, road infrastructure and spending priorities decried the reactionary approach to governance adopted by Governor Umo Eno.
Part of the communique read: ” Upon assumption of office, Governor Umo Eno proclaimed that he came with the “Finisher’s Anointing” to “connect the dots” and consolidate the developmental achievements of previous administrations. This pronouncement raised public expectations that his government would deepen people-centered governance and pursue inclusive, sustainable, and innovation-driven development.
However, two years into the administration, empirical data and governance outcomes across sectors reveal a widening disconnect between policy rhetoric and development realities. The state’s development indicators suggest a drift toward ceremonial governance and elite-centered development – a governance model impressive in optics but deficient in institutional strengthening and sustainable economic transformation.”
Speaking about the ongoing construction of 31 Model Primary Schools (12 reportedly completed and 19 ongoing) and 3 Model Secondary Schools – one in each senatorial district said the projects though commendable on the surface have failed to address the deep rooted problems in the state ‘s education sector.
“…in a state with about 1,160 public primary schools, 244 public secondary schools, 7 technical colleges, and 1 special education center, most of which are in varying states of disrepair, this initiative is symbolic rather than systemic.
Constructing a few model primary schools is NOT a remedy for the deep-rooted digital illiteracy and infrastructure deficits within the public secondary school system. This real problem becomes aggravated as most secondary school students with less than minimal computer literacy are now required to undertake national certificate and university qualifying examinations on digital and online platforms.
While the national education system is transitioning toward full digitization – encompassing online admissions, assessments, and administrative processes – Akwa Ibom’s public secondary schools remain structurally dilapidated and technologically obsolete.
Governor Eno’s education initiative thus represents an ill-conceived, misdirected and fragmented, off the curve intervention, rather than a strategically integrated and functional education reform framework.”
Commenting on the governor programmes in the health sector the group said: “…the government’s plan to establish 31 Model Primary Healthcare Centres – with about 10 to 17 completed or ongoing -constitutes a piecemeal response to a systemic crisis. The state’s 425 Primary and 42 Secondary Health Institutions continue to grapple with inadequate infrastructure, obsolete equipment, workforce shortages, weak healthcare delivery systems, and chronic underfunding.
Also speaking about the administratiion’s fiscal management the group added: “The proliferation of Implementation Advisors, Special Aides, and Delivery Committees and Advisory Consultants, many of them populated by former commissioners, was initially rationalized as a means to enhance project execution. In practice, however, it has generated administrative overlap, bureaucratic congestion, and fiscal inefficiency.”
“The administration’s expenditure pattern reflects a concerning bias toward exclusive indulgences -marked by extravagant hospitality ventures, cheer-courting handouts, and luxury political consumption.
Such elite-centered fiscal behavior undermines social equity and widens the gap between the ruling class and the citizenry. This trend underscores a misaligned development philosophy that prioritizes optics over outcomes, and political comfort over public welfare.m,” the group added in its communique.
The group urged the governor to reduce political patronage and administrative redundancy by rationalizing appointments, streamlining advisory structures, and enforcing fiscal discipline in the state.
