Akwa Ibom Governor Offers 2 Million Votes for Ibom Deep Seaport Project

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfil his promise of establishing the Ibom Deep Seaport, assuring him of two million votes from the state in the 2027 presidential election if the project becomes a reality. This appeal was made during a grand reception organised in honour of the President at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

The governor described the proposed seaport as a strategic economic investment capable of transforming Akwa Ibom and strengthening Nigeria’s maritime industry. He noted that the deep seaport remained the most pressing economic demand of the people, and its establishment would create employment opportunities, attract foreign investment, stimulate industrialisation and position Akwa Ibom as a major maritime and commercial hub in the Gulf of Guinea.

Eno reminded Tinubu that Akwa Ibom had supported his presidency since the 2023 general election and expected the Federal Government to reciprocate that support by actualising the seaport project, which he described as critical to the state’s economic future. The governor recalled that Tinubu had, during his 2023 presidential campaign visit to Akwa Ibom, promised to facilitate the establishment of the deep seaport, drawing inspiration from the Lekki Deep Seaport project in Lagos State.

The Ibom Deep Seaport project, originally conceived as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah, has remained on the state’s development agenda for decades without actualisation. Eno explained that beyond serving as a major transshipment centre, the facility would generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, promote industrial activities and create new opportunities for businesses, investors and residents.

President Tinubu, who described his visit to Akwa Ibom as a homecoming, commended Governor Eno for sustaining the vision and ensuring the completion of the new International Terminal Building at Victor Attah International Airport, the International Airport Hospital and the Ibom Aviation Village. The President noted that the international airport would enhance human movement, promote national integration and cultural diversity, and expand economic opportunities by connecting Akwa Ibom to other parts of the country and the international community.

The governor further commended Tinubu for federal infrastructure interventions, particularly the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, and expressed appreciation for his visit to commission several projects executed by the state government. The commissioning of the international terminal represents a major milestone in the state’s aviation development, while the governor’s renewed appeal for the Ibom Deep Seaport has once again brought attention to a project widely regarded as central to Akwa Ibom’s long-term economic transformation.

The actualisation of the seaport would be a major demonstration of the benefits of cooperation between the state and Federal Government, according to Eno. He linked the state’s political alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress to the administration’s determination to strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government and attract more federal development projects.

Key points

• Governor Eno offered 2 million votes in the 2027 presidential election if the Ibom Deep Seaport project is actualized.
• The Ibom Deep Seaport project is expected to create employment opportunities, attract foreign investment and stimulate industrialisation.
• President Tinubu commended Governor Eno for sustaining the vision and ensuring the completion of several projects in Akwa Ibom.