2027: Coffie Promises Akwa Ibom Unity, Empowerment & Prosperity
By ARIT OTONG UBOK
FORMER Accord Party governorship candidate Emem Coffie has promised to prioritise unity, empowerment and economic development if elected governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2027.
Coffie, now with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the pledge while addressing journalists in Uyo on Monday.
He said his administration would focus on youths, women and senior citizens while creating opportunities for residents to improve their livelihoods.
According to him, Akwa Ibom has enough human and material resources to confront poverty and unemployment.
To achieve that, he said his government would train youths in various skills and provide starter packs to help them establish businesses.
He also promised to create more employment opportunities and ensure greater participation of women in economic programmes.
Beyond skills development, Coffie said he would promote commercial agriculture through farm settlements across the state.
The former candidate said the initiative would create jobs while increasing food production for local consumption and supply to other states.
“Akwa Ibom with its vast arable land cannot rely on food from other states for survival,” he said.
On education, Coffie pledged to make primary and secondary education free and compulsory.
He also said his administration would tackle child street hawking during school hours by ensuring that children of school age remain in classrooms.
Similarly, the politician promised to overhaul the healthcare system and make medical services more accessible and affordable.
He said the proposed administration would seek to reduce medical tourism by improving healthcare services and attracting patients to the state.
Meanwhile, Coffie placed unity at the centre of his political message.
He said his Ibibio background and maternal connection to Annang land had given him an understanding of the state’s cultural diversity.
The former candidate said he was concerned about ethnic tensions and unnecessary conflicts across Akwa Ibom.
Consequently, he promised to promote dialogue, justice, peace and understanding among the state’s different communities.
“We must build a state which our future generations will inherit with pride,” he said.
Coffie further called for a political environment that accommodates diverse interests and provides opportunities for residents to pursue their aspirations.
His proposals come as political parties and aspirants intensify consultations ahead of the 2027 elections.
