NDC questions Tinubu’s recent approval for Ibom seaport

The Nigeria Democratic Congress on Sunday accused President Bola Tinubu of using the Ibom Deep Sea Port project for his campaign. They questioned why the Federal Government announced a new approval for a project that was already approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020.

The opposition party claimed that this multi-billion-dollar project has been used repeatedly to gain political support in Akwa Ibom State.

Tinubu announced the approval for the long-awaited port project on Friday at a reception and rally held in his honor at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. He was in Akwa Ibom to inaugurate projects done by Governor Umo Eno’s administration. During this event, the governor asked for the Federal Government’s help with the seaport project.

However, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, issued a statement to journalists questioning why there was a new approval. He insisted that the project had already received Federal Executive Council approval back in December 2020.

The party reminded everyone that Buhari’s administration approved the implementation of the first phase of the $4.6 billion Ibom Deep Sea Port project during its meeting on December 16, 2020. Bollore/Power China was named as the preferred bidder.

This approval was supposed to allow construction to start. The NDC also highlighted that Tinubu, while campaigning as the APC presidential candidate during a rally in Uyo on January 30, 2023, promised to build the seaport.

Director said, "What a hocus-pocus, what hogwash, and what barefaced lies and shenanigans of a rudderless party! How many times will the APC approve the Ibom Deep Sea Port?"

He described the announcement on Friday as another attempt to gain political support ahead of the 2027 elections. The NDC spokesman expressed doubts that the project would be completed.

He said, "Obviously, this is another round of cheap promises that will not be kept or honoured. Just as before, so it will be now, empty promises. All talk and no action.

"As Nigerians are still waiting for the APC and President Tinubu to provide uninterrupted electricity supply, so Akwa Ibomites are waiting endlessly for the promised deep sea port that has become a campaign tool of deceit,” the statement concluded.