The Labour Party governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Akparawa Michael Bush, has outlined a series of campaign promises covering employment, education, healthcare, housing, pensions, infrastructure, electricity and support for professional and informal-sector groups ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Bush, who emerged as the Labour Party’s governorship candidate after its May 30, 2026 primary, has said his proposed administration would operate under the theme “Akwa Ibom For All… The People First.” Premium Times also reported his emergence as the party’s candidate.
One of his latest pledges is massive recruitment into the education sector, covering government-owned primary and secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions.
Bush said the proposed recruitment would also extend to the health sector, with plans to employ nurses, doctors and other healthcare personnel, alongside additional workers in the core civil service.
According to him, the objective is to address unemployment among graduates while tackling manpower shortages in public institutions.
He argued that understaffing in schools has created situations where individual teachers are required to handle several unrelated subjects, saying his administration would recruit and train additional personnel.
Bush also said newly employed workers would undergo training to improve their skills and effectiveness in public service.
He further stated that recruitment would not be based on personal connections or a system in which applicants need influential individuals to secure government jobs.
Pension and gratuity
The Labour candidate has separately promised to clear outstanding pension and gratuity arrears owed to retired public and civil servants within his first 100 days in office, if elected.
He has also pledged that, after existing arrears are cleared, retiring workers would receive their pension and gratuity without the prolonged delays experienced by some retirees.
In another presentation of the policy, Bush said retirees should receive their entitlements on the exact day of retirement. The pledge was reported by multiple outlets in September.
31,000 low-cost houses
Housing is another major component of Bush’s campaign proposals.
He has promised to construct 1,000 low-cost housing units in each of Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas, amounting to 31,000 units across the state.
He said the programme would target affordable accommodation for low-income residents and described shelter as a right rather than a privilege. The housing proposal formed part of an eight-point development agenda he unveiled in September.
Bush has also promised to establish education, employment and relaxation centres for elderly citizens, saying the centres would help keep senior citizens productive and restore dignity to retirees.
Free estates for professional bodies
Bush has also announced a proposal to provide free estates for professional organisations comprising indigenous members of various professional associations in Akwa Ibom.
Among the groups he has mentioned are the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Academic Staff Union of Universities, medical and nursing associations, engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, accountants and other professional bodies.
He has further promised subventions and logistics support for professional organisations throughout his proposed administration.
Free education and internet access
Bush has said his proposed administration would make education free at all levels.
He has also promised to provide free Wi-Fi access in all public tertiary institutions for four years.
The proposal is part of his wider education and manpower agenda, which he says would combine access to education with improved staffing and training.
24-hour electricity
The Labour candidate has also promised to pursue 24-hour electricity supply across Akwa Ibom.
He said he would consult relevant stakeholders on bringing an additional power-generating plant to the state as part of efforts to improve electricity availability.
Support for traders and artisans
Bush has pledged grants for market women, male traders and artisans, including carpenters, tailors, seamstresses and aluminium and glass workers.
He said beneficiaries who properly manage the funds could receive additional capital in subsequent phases of the programme.
He has also proposed tax holidays for informal businesses, including petty traders, artisans and transport operators.
Security and continuity of projects
On security, Bush has proposed greater involvement of village heads, clan heads, traditional rulers and youth leaders in community-based security arrangements.
He has also promised to continue and complete projects inherited from previous administrations rather than abandon them, arguing that doing so would prevent public resources already committed to such projects from being wasted.
The AKWA IBOM agenda
Bush has packaged his development blueprint under the acronym AKWA IBOM, which he says represents:
A — Access
K — Knowledge
W — Wealth
A — Advancement
I — Industrialisation
B — Business
O — Opportunities
M — Manpower
The candidate says the agenda is intended to address jobs, education, housing, economic opportunities, industrialisation, skills development and inclusive governance.
Bush’s emergence as the Labour Party’s candidate was reported by Premium Times in June, while the Akwa Ibom LP leadership has subsequently reaffirmed him as its recognised governorship candidate.
