President approves Ibom Deep Sea Port, commissions airport terminal, Ring Road 3 and Arise Palm Resort in Akwa Ibom
President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima have intensified their political attacks on opposition figures Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, questioning their leadership records, political achievements and capacity to govern Nigeria as the All Progressives Congress (APC) took its 2027 re-election campaign to the South-South.
While Tinubu challenged Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, accusing him of failing to confront critical environmental challenges, Shettima questioned Atiku’s ability to build enduring political structures, nurture successors and establish institutions capable of surviving beyond his personal influence.
The President’s visit to Akwa Ibom State was also marked by major infrastructure announcements and project inaugurations, including the approval of the proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port, the commissioning of the new Victor Attah International Airport terminal, Ring Road 3 and the Arise Palm Resort.
Tinubu is expected to take the APC’s re-election campaign to Rivers State today.
TINUBU APPROVES IBOM DEEP SEA PORT
Speaking at the APC presidential rally held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Tinubu approved the establishment of the Ibom Deep Sea Port, describing it as a major economic catalyst for Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region.
Governor Umo Eno had appealed to the President to approve the project in his welcome address, assuring him that the people of the state would remain grateful if the request received favourable consideration.
Responding, Tinubu declared: “Your request for the Ibom Deep Sea Port is hereby approved. The Ibom Deep Sea Port will bring associated economic value and economic development to the people, just as the governor has said.”
The President also commended Eno for his achievements in infrastructure development and human capital investment, recalling that he had promptly approved the upgrade of Victor Attah International Airport to international status following the governor’s request.
He said visionary leadership, continuity and determination were essential to overcoming societal challenges, urging political office seekers to serve their constituents with sincerity and commitment.
“There is no reason why Akwa Ibom cannot leverage the value of its palm trees and agricultural produce. There is no reason that we cannot create skills development — skills that are enduring and everlasting. When your governor requested international status for the airport, I did not hesitate; I approved it. Now, as you do for one, you do for the other,” he said.
TINUBU DEFENDS REFORMS, CHALLENGES OBI
Addressing youths at the rally, Tinubu urged eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and scrutinise the credibility, track records and commitment of politicians seeking their support in the January 16, 2027 general election.
“You, the youth—do you have your PVCs? That is the weapon with which you can defeat tyranny and reject those deceiving you. The weapon you have is the PVC,” he declared.
The President said he had devoted his remaining years to defending democracy, freedom and national development, insisting that his administration had recorded significant progress.
He cited the restoration of stability in the university system, economic improvements and the growing value of economic activities as evidence of his government’s performance, while thanking Governor Eno for his commitment to the welfare of Akwa Ibom residents.
Describing the January 16, 2027 election as consequential, Tinubu said the outcome would determine the country’s future direction.
“This coming election on January 16, 2027, is consequential. It will define the direction of this country. When I took office, 27 out of 36 governors in this country were unable to meet salary obligations, let alone pensions and gratuities. Today, I stand before you to say we are out of that dark tunnel,” he said.
He added that Nigeria had moved away from what he described as a period of deep economic uncertainty and possible bankruptcy.
Turning his attention to Obi, the President questioned the former Anambra governor’s leadership capacity, particularly his handling of environmental challenges during his tenure.
Drawing comparisons between erosion problems in Anambra and the threat posed by the Atlantic Ocean to Lagos, Tinubu argued that effective leadership required courage and the determination to confront difficult problems.
“In Anambra State, he could not confront erosion. I, Bola Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean,” he said.
He contrasted Obi’s record with Eno’s efforts to address erosion and infrastructure challenges in Akwa Ibom, maintaining that leadership should be measured by the willingness to tackle problems rather than avoid them.
Tinubu also questioned Obi’s movement across political parties, asking whether the inability to maintain political relationships and manage disagreements reflected the qualities required for national leadership.
“Is that a leadership trait? Is that a leadership character?” he asked.
The President subsequently praised Senate President Godswill Akpabio for his handling of the National Assembly, describing him as “a round peg in a round hole.”
Speaking during the commissioning of the new Victor Attah International Airport terminal, Tinubu acknowledged Akpabio’s management of the legislature and the support the National Assembly had extended to his administration.
He also described his visit to Akwa Ibom as a homecoming, recalling his earlier professional engagement in the state as an auditor with Mobil.
“I worked here as a Mobil Auditor. We built Ibeno, developed Eket and I never knew I would be the President of Nigeria one day. We did what we needed to do,” he recalled.
Tinubu again commended Eno, describing him as a man of conscience, commitment and vision, and said the governor’s performance informed his prompt approval of the airport upgrade.
SHETTIMA QUESTIONS ATIKU’S POLITICAL LEGACY
Earlier, Vice-President Kashim Shettima challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to identify the enduring political institutions, structures and successors he had produced during his decades in public life.
Shettima argued that political experience should not be measured merely by the number of years spent in public office but by tangible accomplishments, the development of successors and the ability to build structures that endure.
“The presidency is not a retirement benefit for long years in politics. It is a responsibility that must be earned through ideas, competence, organisation, public confidence and demonstrable results,” he declared.
The Vice-President questioned Atiku’s political influence in Adamawa State, challenging him to identify governors and deputy governors he had nurtured who remained committed to his present political ambition.
He maintained that a presidential aspirant seeking to unite Nigeria should first demonstrate the ability to reconcile competing interests within his immediate political constituency.
“Charity, they say, begins at home. It does not end there, certainly. But what does not take root at home can hardly be expected to flourish elsewhere,” Shettima said.
He also questioned the performance of businesses associated with Atiku, including Gotel Communications, Adamawa Plastics and Adama Beverages, arguing that their records deserved scrutiny given the former Vice-President’s repeated presentation of his entrepreneurial background as a qualification for managing the Nigerian economy.
Shettima contrasted Atiku’s political record with Tinubu’s influence in Lagos State, citing former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, as well as incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as examples of political successors who had remained connected to Tinubu’s political structure.
“The question is no longer how long you have been in politics; it is what your years in politics have built, whom you have raised and what has endured,” he said.
The Vice-President also criticised Obi, accusing him of squandering his political goodwill through what he described as falsehoods and misleading statistics.
“Peter Obi has clearly messed up and squandered away his goodwill. He no longer excites when he speaks these days. He only draws suspicions,” Shettima added.
AKPABIO, APC LEADERS RALLY SUPPORT FOR TINUBU
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended the six South-South governors for their developmental strides and support for the APC, assuring the President that the National Assembly had provided a strong foundation for him to complete the structures his administration had laid.
He also thanked Tinubu for approving the establishment of a Federal University of Agriculture, a Federal University of Technology and a Police Academy in Akwa Ibom State, reiterating the region’s support for the ruling party.
APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, declared that the party would not require electoral manipulation to secure Tinubu’s re-election, insisting that the administration’s achievements and expanding political structures would earn the President another mandate.
“We don’t need to rig. We don’t need to add one vote to Mr President. He can win squarely,” he said.
Yilwatda claimed Tinubu secured more than 10 million votes during the APC presidential primary, exceeding the number of votes he received in the 2023 general election.
He also highlighted the party’s numerical strength among state governors, federal lawmakers, state legislators and local government chairmen as evidence of its organisational capacity.
Defending the administration’s economic reforms, the APC chairman cited investments in infrastructure, education, student loans, consumer credit and support for small businesses.
He said the policies were positioning Nigeria towards Tinubu’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
Yilwatda particularly praised the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road projects, saying they would improve transportation, reduce logistics costs and strengthen commercial activities across the region.
Similarly, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, insisted that the ruling party would not manipulate the 2027 election, maintaining that Tinubu’s achievements were sufficient to secure another mandate.
“We are not going to rig the election, but Nigerians are going to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu because he has laid the foundation for a better Nigeria,” Yari said.
He set a target of at least 1.6 million votes for Tinubu in Akwa Ibom, challenging party leaders to mobilise eligible voters ahead of the election.
Yari also defended the administration’s interventions in agriculture, small businesses, market support and employment generation, challenging opposition politicians to present alternative programmes.
“What programme do you have in place that is better than what Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has today? In terms of unemployment, what do you have in place that Asiwaju has not put in place that you are going to present to Nigerians?” he asked.
SOUTH-SOUTH GOVERNORS REAFFIRM SUPPORT
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors Forum and the South-South governors, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri applauded Tinubu for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), among other projects and initiatives.
He also commended Eno for the massive turnout of supporters at the presidential rally.
“The Coastal Highway is a masterpiece. No President, living or dead, ever conceived it. All six governors of the South-South are solidly behind you. Carry go,” Diri assured the President.
At a reception organised in Tinubu’s honour at the 70-hectare Arise Palm Resort, Governor Eno expressed satisfaction with the President’s approval of the Ibom Deep Sea Port, describing the development as a significant milestone for the state.
President-General of the Akwa Ibom Council of Traditional Rulers and Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, His Eminence Dr Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, also expressed support for the Tinubu administration and prayed for the President’s success in his second-term bid.
Earlier, upon arriving in the state, Tinubu inaugurated the new Victor Attah International Airport terminal building, Ring Road 3, which links Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road through Uyo and Ibiono Ibom, as well as the Arise Palm Resort.
