The N1 million grant for 1,000 people in each local government area of Akwa Ibom State yearly pledged by Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, if elected as a governor, has received some knocks.
Akpanudoedehe, who is the immediate past National Secretary of the defunct Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress, announced this when he declared for Akwa Ibom governorship slot under APC on Saturday at Ibom Hall Grounds in Uyo, the state capital.
At a well-attended grand reception in honour of Akpanudoedehe after his exit from the party’s National Working Committee, the APC Chief pledged to dole out the sum to alleviate poverty among the people in the state.
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Already, Akwa Ibom has 31 local government areas and the grants would amount to N31 billion.
The analysis monitored by Straightnews in Uyo, showed that the radio analysts in XL 106.9 FM, Uyo, on Monday, April 18, doubted the fulfilment of the promise, if he is given the mandate.
The analysts- Comrade Iboro Ibara and Uduak NseAbasi – speaking under Citizens Assembly programme in the radio said since the society is dynamic and the finances are not forthcoming, the promise was unnecessary.
Specifically, Uduak NseAbasi said the pledge sounded ‘ambiguous and easy catch’ to sway the electorate to vote for him if he is given the APC governorship ticket.
To him, the pledge sounded like another campaign ploy to force the electorate to vote for him, which other past politicians had used same to hook wink the masses.
Recall that Akpanudoedehe said “My focus will be how to deliver my people from poverty. I shall embark on a poverty alleviation programme. N1million grant will be given to 1,000 people in each local government area of the state.
“It is time to empower the people and not to continue to depend on stipends. We will make Akwa Ibom the hub for technology,” said the one-time Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory.
An anonymous political analyst told Straightnews that in 2011, the Senator who was the governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Akwa Ibom State, pledged to dole out N1 million to every Akwa Ibom citizen, if elected.
However, Akpanudoedehe from Uyo Senatorial District did not win the election as Chief Godswill Akpabio of Ikot Ekepene Senatorial District was re-elected.
Another political analyst queried ”What fair criteria will be used in giving the grant to 1,000 people yearly? Will giving the money to people alleviate the extreme poverty in the state? What type of pedestrian economic policy is this in poverty alleviation?’’
