Adeleke's Win Sparks Criticism of Eno's Leadership in Akwa Ibom

The recent Osun State governorship election has sparked a new discussion in Akwa Ibom State about Governor Umo Eno’s performance. Some residents and commentators are asking if the governor has done enough with the significant resources the state has received since he took over.

The debate started right after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Governor Ademola Adeleke as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun, which gives him another four years in office.

Mr Adeleke got 511,067 votes while his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji from the All Progressives Congress (APC), received 444,815 votes.

Even though the Osun election was not a direct vote on Akwa Ibom, its timing is significant. It comes less than a year before the 2027 general elections, prompting some Akwa Ibom residents to look closely at their own government.

The election was watched closely nationwide as the last major off-cycle governorship election before 2027. It is seen as a possible reflection of voter opinions, political alliances, and the strength of current administrations.

Some observers in Akwa Ibom are now questioning how crucial visible performance is for an incumbent governor trying to keep political support. They wonder if voters can point to tangible results.

This question is now aimed at Mr Eno. His administration has reportedly received at least N2.934 trillion in public resources from May 2023 to June 2026, based on an analysis of the state’s finances by PREMIUM TIMES.

The discussion goes beyond asserting that the Eno administration has done nothing. PREMIUM TIMES has confirmed that the government has completed or started several projects, including roads, healthcare facilities, model schools, and housing for the less privileged.

The main concern is whether the scale, speed, and quality of these projects match the resources available. Citizens also want to know if they have enough information about project costs and how contracts are awarded.

Soon after Mr Adeleke won, social media conversations in Akwa Ibom shifted from the Osun results to the performance of the Eno administration.

Herbert Batta, a communication professor at the University of Uyo, posted on Facebook that the Osun results provide a lesson for Akwa Ibom.

“Who says dancing does not pay? This man has danced his way back to power!” Mr Batta wrote. He questioned how much Akwa Ibom has benefited from its “alignment” with the APC.

The Peoples Democratic Party was in charge of Akwa Ibom for 26 years until Governor Eno switched to the APC on June 6, 2025.

Mr Batta mentioned several federal projects in Akwa Ibom that are either stalled or moving slowly. These include parts of the East-West Road, the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, and the Uyo-Port Harcourt Road.

He argued that Governor Eno must impress Akwa Ibom residents with programs and projects in the 10 federal constituencies and three senatorial districts to ensure they vote for him and his party.

“But with what we see on the ground: the slow pace of contract/project delivery, the LGA-grade bungalow projects, and the neglect of key projects after four years, it seems the state is trying to use federal power to regain control,” he wrote.

His point is that loyalty to a party may not be enough if voters think the government is not performing well.

Comments on Facebook showed that many residents agreed with this viewpoint. Journalist Emem Nkereuwem said, “Prof, our people have been stripped of their tongues. Our hearts are heavy and bleeding within.”

Another commenter, Chris Essang, said the Eno administration was “very busy doing nothing.” Courage Nda questioned why local governments with large allocations couldn't fix rural roads properly.

“The governor has to sit up. It is going to be hot. Mark my words,” Edemson Anwana wrote.

Eyo Udoh said Mr Eno was “very slow in some critical sectors, especially education.”

The critics' arguments go beyond comparing Akwa Ibom and Osun's political and economic situations. The Osun election shows how important voters' performance assessments are in Nigeria.

Despite the APC's nationwide strength, Mr Adeleke won against their candidate by over 66,000 votes. Critics in Akwa Ibom now argue that incumbents cannot rely solely on party structure or political ties without showing improvements in citizens’ lives.

This argument has now entered the discussion about Mr Eno’s leadership.

Bobby Bassey, who describes himself as a tailor and software engineer, challenged Mr Eno’s supporters to name “one befitting completed project” from his government.

By Monday morning, his post had 147 comments, with most expressing disappointment over how public resources are used in Akwa Ibom.

“Sometimes we need to tell our leaders that we need more,” Mr Bassey wrote.

Wisdom Enang called for the repair of Tabernacle Road, which PREMIUM TIMES reported on regarding flooding and its poor state.

Charles Ufot criticized the administration’s frequent distribution of rice, while Etiene David said Mr Eno’s predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, did better.

“I know his (Eno’s) supporters will not like this post, but the truth must be told. I wish there were a strong opposition in the state,” Idorenyin Udoh wrote.

Calls for a stronger opposition are significant because the criticism is shifting beyond individual projects. Some residents are starting to frame the 2027 election as a chance for a credible alternative to the ruling party in Akwa Ibom.

Criticism has also moved from infrastructure to the concerns of young people looking for government jobs. A former youth leader, Akan Etteudo, wrote to Mr Eno, saying some youths are unhappy with the administration.

He urged the governor to “show love” to the youths, provide jobs and training opportunities.

“Release money for your commissioner; they complain more than the youths on the streets,” he added.

This post got more comments, with some claiming that even people close to the government are frustrated by poverty and lack of opportunities.

The reactions show that the discontent is not just about roads and buildings. It also includes unemployment and poverty.

Leo Umana, who has served in both Mr Eno’s and his predecessor’s administrations, said in a Facebook post that complaints are everywhere in the state.

“Every corner in the state is saturated with so many complaints. How is it on your side? The Authority should take note and action, please,” he said. Many comments supported his view.

Mr Eno’s media aide, Samuel Ayara, denied that the administration has little to show for its time in office.

“Befitting is relative. What counts as befitting for one may not be for another,” Mr Ayara replied to Mr Bassey’s post.

He listed completed roads, health centres, schools, housing projects, and other developments.

“There is much to cheer about,” he wrote.

He admitted that citizens can always ask for more, but insisted the government has made efforts across various sectors.

His response led to more criticism. Some commenters asked if the projects mentioned matched the available resources.

Others questioned if the health facilities were working properly.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported that building health facilities does not always mean there are enough workers and equipment to run them.

The Eno administration has completed some projects like the Ukanafun General Hospital and several model schools.

The government also continued or finished some projects started by the previous government. They claim to have worked on roads, healthcare, education, housing, aviation, and tourism.

But many of these projects are still incomplete or have been abandoned.

This means the claim that the administration has done nothing is not entirely accurate. But the real question remains: how much did these projects cost, how were contracts awarded, and how much has been spent?

This is where PREMIUM TIMES has found issues. For major projects like the ARISE Palm Resort, the N15.47 billion renovation of the State House of Assembly, and the N42.04 billion CNG bus program, there are serious gaps in public procurement information, including contract amounts and bidding details.

The newspaper has also reported that it is becoming harder to get detailed financial information from the state’s reports.

Under Mr Eno, Akwa Ibom has become less transparent about its finances. This makes it hard for citizens to see if they are getting value for their money, even if a project exists.

The debate is especially interesting because of the large amounts of money the state has.

PREMIUM TIMES’ analysis shows that Akwa Ibom received at least N2.934 trillion between May 2023 and June 2026.

This includes federal allocations and other funds but does not cover the state’s own revenue, especially for May and June 2023.

Understanding this financial context is crucial for the recent criticism.

The timing of this debate, right after the Osun election, adds a political angle.

In Akwa Ibom, people are already discussing the performance of the Adeleke administration just seven months before the next governorship election.

For Mr Eno, the focus may be shifting from having projects to showing whether those projects and spending are enough for N2.934 trillion and if the government has been open about what it has spent and how.