The African Action Congress governorship candidate in Delta State, Engr. Isaac Eshor, has pledged to tackle unemployment and transform the state into a blue economy hub if elected governor in 2027.
Eshor, who made the commitment in Abuja on Saturday following his endorsement by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), also promised free education, improved healthcare delivery, enhanced electricity supply and extensive youth empowerment programmes.
“I will turn Delta State into a blue economy,” he declared, saying the state must end its overdependence on government revenue and harness its natural resources to create jobs and drive economic growth.
He criticised the state government for failing to convert its substantial revenues into tangible development, while challenging the administration to a public debate on its economic performance.
“Let me see the candidates. I want to see a debate with the current government. Let’s talk about the growth of the economy,” he said.
Addressing the issue of electricity, Eshor said his administration would deploy turbine systems to generate power for communities across Delta State.
“I am going to build a turbine system that will generate electricity for the people of Delta State,” he said.
The AAC candidate further pledged to provide free primary and secondary education and introduce a N100,000 monthly allowance for teachers in the state.
“Every teacher in Delta State, from primary to secondary school, we are going to be paying them N100,000 as monthly allowance,” he said.
Eshor also promised to overhaul the healthcare sector and ensure that major reforms introduced by his administration were protected by legislation to prevent subsequent governments from reversing them.
He identified youth empowerment as a major priority of his proposed administration, noting that widespread unemployment and idleness could contribute to rising crime.
“When the mind is idle, crime does not stop,” he said.
At the event, the President of the NYCN, Comrade Isa Babangida, advocated experienced, competent and accountable leadership that could translate Nigeria’s economic potential into employment, investments and opportunities for young people.
Babangida said Nigerian youths needed leaders capable of producing measurable results instead of making promises without tangible outcomes.
According to him, the council was supporting leadership with demonstrated experience and the capacity to promote economic development, particularly in Delta State.
“We need a government that understands how the system works; how businesses are built, how investments are attracted, how enterprises are managed, how people are employed and how the economy can be created,” he said.
Babangida maintained that Delta State should be viewed beyond its political significance and developed as an economic project with the capacity to attract investments and generate employment.
He also called for greater emphasis on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, arguing that youth empowerment should not be reduced to short-term political patronage.
“Giving a young person a skill is more powerful than giving that young person a temporary political opportunity. We need leadership that creates pathways to sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
He cited Eshor’s background in marine operations, logistics, business and entrepreneurship, alongside his involvement in skills acquisition, employment generation and youth empowerment initiatives.
Babangida urged state governments to support the Federal Government’s efforts by expanding opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire skills, establish businesses, attract investments and create jobs.
