A fierce political battle has erupted between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State following the release of an explosive investigative report by Premium Times.
The report which detailed a revenue inflow of over N2.53 trillion under the administration of Governor Umo Eno between May 2023 and December 2025, sparked a war of words over transparency, legacy, and fiscal responsibility.
The investigative report, authored by Ekemini Simon, reveals that the revenue accrued in just 32 months under Governor Eno surpasses the total earnings of the state across the entire eight-year tenure of former Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration .
According to the analysis of official financial documents, the state recorded N286.7 billion between May and December 2023, N1.110 trillion in 2024, and a staggering N1.134 trillion in 2025.
Despite this historic inflow, the report highlights persistent concerns over fiscal transparency, noting that the state government has continued to publish skeletal, three-page budget performance reports.
These summaries, according to the report, omit detailed expenditure breakdowns, a practice noted by the report as violation of the Akwa Ibom State Fiscal Responsibility Law and a clear deviation from standards observed in other states of the federation .
In its reaction to the report, the PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPA-J), in a press statement titled “Akwa Ibom’s N2.53 Trillion in 32 Months: A Shameful Harvest of Secrecy, Waste, and Zero Legacy.”, questioned where the evidence of development is, stating that no administration in the state’s history has had such financial advantage while delivering so little visible progress
“From Uyo to Ikot Ekpene, Eket, and rural communities across the 31 local governments, the reality is clear: Akwa Ibom is not experiencing development commensurate with N2.53 trillion. The roads remain neglected, healthcare is struggling, and unemployment is rising at an alarming rate, yet the government continues to parade media announcements without substance.” The PDP group stated
Reacting further to the report’s revelation that the state expended N1.330 trillion in 2025 alone, a figure N63 billion higher than the combined expenditure of Abia, Cross River, Ebonyi, and Kebbi States for the same year., the PDP group argued that this proves reckless spending without measurable outcomes, demanding an immediate publication of detailed expenditure breakdowns and an independent audit.
The PDP group specifically pointed to the state capital, Uyo, arguing it has witnessed no major transformation under Governor Eno. “There is no significant urban renewal, no major road revolution, and no durable project capable of defining the administration’s name beyond propaganda,” the statement read.
In a swift rejoinder, the All Progressives Congress Media Network dismissed the allegations as “thoughtless propaganda.” In a statement titled “Facts Over PAPA-J’s Thoughtless Propaganda,” the APC argued that revenue inflows do not sit idle but are committed to statutory obligations, salaries, pensions, and multi-year projects that span multiple fiscal cycles
The APC response criticized the opposition’s “fixation on a single signature monument,” asserting that Governor Umo Eno’s policy prioritizes broad-based impact over vanity projects. “Sustainable governance is measured by economic empowerment, food security, and social stability, not concrete alone. Healthcare facilities, and schools are being upgraded across all senatorial districts”. The APC group defended.
On the issue of transparency, the APC insisted that the government operates fully within fiscal and procurement laws, with budget presentations, legislative oversight, and audits firmly in place. The party challenged the PDP to present credible evidence of financial misconduct through lawful institutional engagement rather than sensational press releases.
The APC, however, urged the public to ignore what it called “mischievous comparisons,” noting that state expenditures cover constitutionally mandated transfers and that many capital projects span multiple fiscal years. Payments recorded in a single year, the party argued, may relate to ongoing or near-completion projects rather than new spending .
The controversy is further fueled by broader fiscal data showing Akwa Ibom’s strong revenue position. A Budget report ranked Akwa Ibom as the second most financially self-sufficient state in Nigeria, capable of funding its expenditures without borrowing . Additionally, FAAC allocation data shows Akwa Ibom received the third-highest federal allocation in the country between January and August 2025, totaling N348.62 billion .
Recall that Governor Umo Eno has previously defended his administration’s record. He had listed achievements under his ARISE Agenda to include; support for 69,000 farmers, construction of over 900 kilometers of roads, and the recruitment of 3,300 health workers . However, civil society organizations like Policy Alert have joined the criticism, demanding full compliance with the state’s Fiscal Responsibility Law, which mandates online publication of detailed fiscal documents .
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