Hon. Amb. Patricia Iya Godwin, the incumbent Vice Chairman of Odukpani Local Government Area, has formally declared her intention to run for the Odukpani State Constituency seat in the 2027 Cross River State House of Assembly election.
In a passionate declaration rooted in service and lived experience, the founder of the Military/Paramilitary Widows Association of Nigeria and initiator of the Cloth The Street humanitarian project outlined her vision to give Odukpani a stronger, more effective voice at the state level.
“I have walked through all 13 wards of Odukpani. I have seen the gaps — schools without roofs, widows struggling to feed their children, youths without jobs, and communities lacking basic amenities. Local Government can only do so much. Laws and budgets are made at the House of Assembly,” she said.
Track Record of Impact
Hon. Godwin highlighted her grassroots achievements within just one year as Vice Chairman, including:
- Awarding 3-term scholarships to 36 orphans.
- Facilitating admissions for over 110 Odukpani indigenes into higher institutions.
- Securing employment opportunities for numerous youths in the Nigeria Police, Navy, Army, and other paramilitary agencies.
- Providing start-up funds and consistent support for vulnerable families, widows, and orphans, often with the backing of Odukpani stakeholders.
Legislative Agenda
If elected, she pledged to sponsor and support key bills and initiatives, including:
- Widows Protection & Social Welfare Fund
- Odukpani Vocational & Technical Institute to skill 2,000 youths annually
- Inclusive Education Law with expanded bursaries and free WAEC/NECO for indigenes
- Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD) Desk in every LGA
- Odukpani Women Trust Fund for soft loans and grants
- Farmers Database and Desk Office
- Strengthened Local Drug Enforcement Agency to combat illegal drug proliferation
- Realignment of Gender-Based Violence and Abuse Laws with broader community involvement
She emphasized her commitment to ensuring Odukpani receives its fair share of the state budget for roads, health centres, water, and education infrastructure, promising active oversight and lobbying rather than passive representation.
“Odukpani deserves a legislator who has been on the ground, who has delivered without state power, and who will use state power to deliver more. Our children deserve classrooms, not excuses. Our widows deserve support, not sympathy.”
Hon. Amb. Patricia Iya Godwin concluded her declaration with a call for the trust of the people, positioning her candidacy on proven service, compassion, and readiness to scale her impact through legislation.
