The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticized President Bola Tinubu for renewing his promise to construct the Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom State. The opposition party questions why the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to make fresh commitments on a project that was approved by the previous administration in 2020. The NDC described Tinubu's latest pledge as a repetition of an earlier campaign promise, with no tangible commitment to translating the proposed multibillion-dollar project into reality.
Tinubu reportedly renewed the promise on Friday, November 6, 2026, while addressing supporters during his visit to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The NDC's National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, accused the APC of using the proposed deep seaport as a political campaign instrument rather than demonstrating the political will to implement the project. The party recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), under former President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the implementation of the first phase of the $4.6 billion Ibom Deep Sea Port project on December 16, 2020.
The approval had identified Bollore/Power China as the preferred bidder and was expected to pave the way for the commencement of construction. However, the NDC argued that the renewed commitment by Tinubu was particularly troubling because he had also promised to build the port during the APC's 2023 presidential campaign in Akwa Ibom State. At the party's presidential campaign rally held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on January 30, 2023, Tinubu reportedly promised to establish the seaport alongside other development initiatives.
The NDC quoted the president as telling supporters: “We will do mechanised farming. We will export food from Akwa Ibom. We will build your seaport.” The opposition party accused the APC of failing to fulfil that commitment more than three years after making it. They questioned the rationale behind making another promise on the same project without providing an account of what had happened to the earlier federal approval.
The NDC described the development as an indication of what it called the APC's unfulfilled campaign promises. The party asked how many times the Federal Government would announce its approval of the Ibom Deep Sea Port before actual construction would commence. The NDC further accused the ruling party of elevating political promises above measurable performance.
The opposition party argued that Akwa Ibom residents deserved concrete explanations on the status of the project rather than repeated assurances during electioneering. The NDC maintained that the deep seaport, if successfully implemented, would have significant economic implications for the state and the country, particularly in expanding maritime activities and facilitating international trade.
The Ibom Deep Sea Port project has been stalled for years, with the NDC calling for tangible action rather than repeated promises. The party's criticism of Tinubu's renewed promise highlights the challenges of implementing large-scale infrastructure projects in Nigeria and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of such initiatives.
Key points
- The Nigeria Democratic Congress questions the APC's commitment to the $4.6bn Ibom Deep Sea Port project approved in 2020.
- President Bola Tinubu renewed his promise to construct the Ibom Deep Sea Port on November 6, 2026.
- The NDC accuses the APC of using the proposed deep seaport as a political campaign instrument rather than demonstrating the political will to implement the project.
