Akwa Ibom Youth Leaders Applaud Eno’s Youth Programmes, Pledge 2027 Support
The Coalition of Youth Leaders and Stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State has passed a vote of confidence in Governor Umo Bassey Eno, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, declaring its support for their political aspirations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition made its position known in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting and media briefing held in Uyo on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
The youth leaders commended the Eno administration for what they described as its commitment to infrastructure development, human-capital development, youth empowerment and grassroots transformation across the state.
They cited several youth-oriented initiatives, including the DASAC training programmes, Ibom-LED initiatives, youth grants and the establishment of Youth-Friendly Centres across the 31 local government areas.
According to the coalition, more than 2,000 young people have benefited from training and grants of ₦750,000 each through the Ibom-LED Centre on IBB Avenue, Uyo.
The group also stated that 62 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises had received ₦5 million each, representing interventions worth ₦310 million.
The coalition further commended the government’s educational support programmes, including the reported disbursement of approximately ₦1.69 billion in student bursaries at ₦50,000 per beneficiary.
It also highlighted the monthly ₦20,000 support reportedly provided to 98,000 National Youth Service Corps members in the state.
On youth participation in governance, the group said the administration had created opportunities for young people through political appointments, Ward Personal Assistants and the involvement of Village Youth Presidents in community security initiatives.
The coalition claimed that approximately 91 per cent of the state’s youth structure serves as Ward Personal Assistants, describing the arrangement as evidence of deliberate efforts to strengthen grassroots youth participation.
It consequently rejected claims that the ARISE administration was anti-youth, youth-unfriendly or had marginalised young people in the state.
However, the youth leaders urged the government to sustain and expand its youth-focused programmes while ensuring that access to opportunities remained transparent, equitable and inclusive.
The coalition also distanced itself from recent social media statements attributed to Prince Akan Etteudoh concerning the state government and youth affairs.
It said Etteudoh lacked the mandate to speak on behalf of the entire youth population or the collective youth leadership structure of Akwa Ibom State, urging stakeholders to distinguish between personal opinions and the collective position of the state’s youths.
The coalition called on young people across Akwa Ibom to remain peaceful and united, and to pursue their aspirations through dialogue, responsible advocacy and constructive engagement.
In its concluding resolution, the group reaffirmed its commitment to a constructive partnership between the state government and youths, stressing that young people should not only be regarded as leaders of tomorrow but also as partners in building the state today.
The declaration comes ahead of the 2027 political season, with the coalition pledging its support for Governor Umo Eno, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and candidates aligned with their political platform.
The communiqué was signed on behalf of the Coalition of Youth Leaders in Akwa Ibom State.
