“Ibom Deep Seaport Is Approved” — Tinubu Grants Eno’s Request, Attacks Atiku, Obi, Promises Better Future As He Stumbles During Akwa Ibom Visit

President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State, promising improved infrastructure, education, employment opportunities and economic development while questioning the leadership credentials of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The President announced the approval on Friday, November 6, 2026, during a political rally organised in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, following an appeal by Governor Umo Eno for the Federal Government to facilitate the development of the proposed maritime facility.

The approval was one of the major highlights of Tinubu’s visit to Akwa Ibom, where he inaugurated infrastructure projects executed by the Eno administration, defended his government’s economic reforms and urged residents to support his re-election bid.

The visit was, however, marred by a road accident involving a bus conveying women to welcome the President and a security Hilux vehicle, leaving several people injured, with an eyewitness account suggesting that one person may have died.

Tinubu also experienced a brief stumble while walking towards his convoy during the visit, with aides and security personnel quickly moving to steady him.

Addressing supporters at the stadium, the President described Akwa Ibom as a place with which he had maintained a longstanding personal and professional relationship, recalling his early career in the oil industry.

He said his association with the state began when he worked with Mobil Oil and participated in assignments involving the company’s operations in Eket.

“It’s like a homecoming for me. I remember having cut my teeth with Deloitte, the greatest accounting firm in America. I expressed the desire to come home. Mobil Oil recruited me,” Tinubu said.

He recalled that one of his early assignments involved auditing Mobil’s operations in Eket and travelling by boat to the Ibeno terminal.

“Part of the first assignment I was given was to audit the operations of Mobil in Eket. We used to go by boat to Ibono Terminal at that time. Akwa Ibom and I have been united ever since then,” he stated.

The President said the visit provided another opportunity to renew his relationship with the people and reaffirm his administration’s commitment to the state’s development.

Governor Eno had earlier appealed to Tinubu to approve the Ibom Deep Seaport, describing the project as a longstanding demand of the people and a major economic opportunity for Akwa Ibom and the South-South region.

The governor maintained that the proposed facility would strengthen Nigeria’s maritime industry, attract foreign investment, generate employment and transform the state into a major centre for international trade.

He promised that Akwa Ibom would mobilise two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government approved and delivered the project.

“Give us Ibom Deep Seaport, we will deliver two million votes. This deep seaport is capable of unlocking the economy of the state, the South-South region and Nigeria at large,” Eno declared.

He explained that the seaport would serve as a major transhipment hub and create opportunities for businesses and investors seeking access to international markets.

According to him, the facility would create thousands of jobs and strengthen Akwa Ibom’s participation in maritime commerce.

The governor recalled that the project was originally conceived during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City.

Despite successive government promises and development proposals over several decades, the project had remained unrealised.

Eno said Tinubu had previously promised to support the development of a deep seaport in Akwa Ibom during his 2023 presidential campaign, citing the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos as an example of the maritime infrastructure Nigeria needed.

He maintained that the time had come for the Federal Government to demonstrate its commitment to the project.

Responding to the appeal, Tinubu emphasised the need for inclusive development capable of creating economic value across different parts of the country.

He acknowledged the governor’s request and declared that the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport had received his approval.

“On behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, the governor requested for Ibom Deep Sea Port. It’s approved,” the President announced.

The declaration was greeted with cheers from supporters, who repeatedly thanked the President for granting the request.

Tinubu maintained that the proposed seaport would generate economic opportunities and promote development in Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region.

“Ibom Deep Sea Port will bring associated economic value and economic development,” he said.

The announcement represented a presidential commitment to the project, although further steps concerning financing, construction arrangements and implementation would still be required before the port could become operational.

Eno welcomed the approval, describing it as an important development in the state’s longstanding effort to secure the maritime facility.

The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s political alignment with the Federal Government, explaining that Akwa Ibom’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress was intended to strengthen cooperation and attract greater federal investment.

Beyond the seaport announcement, Tinubu appealed to residents, particularly young people, to participate actively in the electoral process by obtaining and safeguarding their Permanent Voter Cards.

He described the PVC as the most important instrument available to citizens for determining their political future and choosing their leaders.

“To you, the youth, do you have your PVC? Show me your hand if you have your PVC. To me, that is your sword,” he told the crowd.

According to him, voters should use their electoral power to reject politicians who, in his assessment, lacked the capacity to sustain economic growth and national development.

“That is the weapon you need to defeat tyranny, to defeat those who deceive, those who don’t appreciate the value of a growing economy and the value of promising prosperity,” the President said.

Tinubu maintained that his political career had been dedicated to democracy, freedom and national development.

“The weapon you have is the PVC. I don’t have to enumerate what I’ve done for you. I’ve committed my last years to struggling for democracy, freedom, authenticity, development and progress,” he stated.

He urged Akwa Ibom residents to support Governor Eno and his administration, arguing that continuity was necessary to consolidate ongoing development projects.

The President praised what he described as progress in education, infrastructure and economic opportunities under his administration.

“Have you seen development or not? You have seen progress. Your university is no longer on strike. There’s economic value being added to your life,” he told supporters.

Tinubu promised to expand access to education, create employment opportunities and promote skills acquisition as part of his administration’s development agenda.

“I’m begging you for the sake of your future. I promise you a better future; I promise you development; I promise you education; I promise you skill development; I promise you jobs,” he declared.

He also identified agricultural development, particularly the cultivation and processing of palm produce, as an area in which Akwa Ibom could generate additional economic value.

“We are going to plant a lot of economic trees. There’s no reason why Akwa Ibom cannot use the value of palm trees,” he said.

Turning to the country’s economic situation, the President defended the reforms introduced by his administration, maintaining that they were necessary to prevent Nigeria from sliding into financial collapse.

He described the January 16, 2027, presidential election as consequential, arguing that its outcome would determine whether the country continued with his administration’s economic policies.

“This coming election, on January 16th, is a consequential election. It will define the direction of this country,” he said.

Tinubu claimed that when he assumed office in May 2023, many state governments were struggling to meet their financial obligations.

According to him, 27 of Nigeria’s 36 state governors were unable to pay salaries, pensions and gratuities.

“When I took over, 27 governors out of 36 of this country were unable to pay salary, not to talk of pension, and gratuity,” he stated.

He maintained that his government’s economic interventions had improved the country’s financial position and reduced the threat of national bankruptcy.

“Today I can say that we are out of that tunnel. And I can beat my chest to say we are out of the despair, the dark tunnel of uncertainty and the calamity of a possible bankruptcy,” Tinubu said.

The President argued that without the reforms introduced by his administration, the naira could have suffered a much more severe depreciation.

He suggested that the country might have reached a situation in which people needed wheelbarrows to carry large quantities of currency for ordinary purchases.

“By now if we didn’t take over, if we didn’t do what we did, we will be using the wheelbarrows to move our naira about because it will have become valueless,” he said.

Despite defending the reforms, Tinubu acknowledged that the economic measures had caused hardship for Nigerians.

“It was difficult; it was hard. It was hard for me, too. I don’t know the pain of the market, but I share your pain. I share your difficulty,” he stated.

He maintained that the challenges were part of the process of stabilising the economy and preparing the country for long-term growth.

The President also ruled out a return to the previous petroleum subsidy arrangement, arguing that Nigeria should continue moving forward rather than reverse policies already implemented.

Drawing an analogy from the biblical account of Moses leading the Israelites across the Red Sea, Tinubu maintained that the country should not abandon reforms because of their immediate difficulties.

He insisted that the removal of fuel subsidy was part of the difficult decisions required to secure Nigeria’s economic future.

On education, the President defended the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying the programme was designed to reduce the financial burden of tuition fees on parents and expand opportunities for students.

According to him, education remained one of the most effective instruments for reducing poverty and creating opportunities for future generations.

“We’re taking education as the greatest weapon against poverty and creating opportunity for those who are still coming behind,” he said.

Tinubu further announced that funds recovered through the fight against corruption would be channelled into the student loan programme.

“From today on, as we are fighting corruption, any recovered corruption proceeds would be channelled into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND),” he declared.

The announcement linked the government’s anti-corruption efforts with its stated intention to improve access to higher education.

The President subsequently turned his attention to opposition politicians, questioning their leadership experience and suitability to govern Nigeria.

In an apparent reference to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Tinubu accused the former Anambra State governor of failing to confront the erosion challenges affecting the state during his tenure.

“Obi ran away from erosion in Anambra and he will now want to be president? President of where?” he asked.

Tinubu contrasted Obi’s record with his own claims of addressing coastal challenges in Lagos and Governor Eno’s efforts to reclaim erosion-affected land in Akwa Ibom.

He maintained that effective leadership required the ability to confront difficult development challenges rather than avoid them.

The President also criticised Atiku Abubakar over his movement from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Tinubu questioned whether a politician who left a party after years of involvement in its leadership possessed the qualities necessary to lead the country.

“Immediately a little inclination came that they were going to challenge leadership, he ran away. He abandoned the party. He now belongs to another party, and he’s looking for the presidency?” Tinubu asked.

He further questioned Atiku’s leadership credentials and political responsibility.

“Will you give such a person opportunity who has no leadership quality, no sense of responsibility?” he added.

The remarks came amid political realignments and ongoing disputes involving opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Tinubu urged voters to compare the leadership records of the candidates and support politicians he believed had demonstrated the capacity to deliver development.

He also praised Governor Eno for addressing environmental challenges and promoting infrastructure development across Akwa Ibom.

According to the President, Eno’s administration had demonstrated that difficult environmental problems could be transformed into development opportunities through effective planning.

“Governor Eno confronted the erosion in Akwa Ibom, and it’s working for you. It’s stable,” Tinubu said.

The President later attended a reception organised in his honour at the Arise Palm Resort, where he commended the governor for transforming land previously affected by erosion into a recreational and tourism facility.

Tinubu described the resort as an example of what could be achieved through purposeful leadership.

“We are standing on a resort to the glory of God, which is a product of 73 acres of land of gully erosion, reclaimed, surrounded with a good, romantic, artificial lake, demonstrating a serious vision that is achievable when honest people are working for their homes,” he said.

He maintained that such investments demonstrated the importance of practical development projects capable of creating economic value.

During the visit, Tinubu also inaugurated projects undertaken by the state government, including the new terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport, Ring Road 3 and the Arise Palm Resort.

Other infrastructure projects associated with the presidential visit included the International Airport Hospital, Ibom Aviation Village, Airport-Okopedi Road, AKWA-GIS Office Complex and the Command and Control Centre.

The President also announced approval for the upgrade of Victor Attah International Airport to international airport status, a development intended to strengthen aviation and commercial activities in the state.

However, the activities surrounding the presidential visit were overshadowed by a road accident involving an Akwa Ibom State Transport Corporation bus conveying women mobilised to welcome him.

The accident occurred along Oron Road in Uyo when the bus collided with a Hilux vehicle described in reports as part of the security arrangements for the visit.

Both vehicles were extensively damaged, while several occupants of the bus sustained injuries.

Eyewitnesses claimed that one person had died in the collision, although the reported fatality had not been officially confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Corps at the time of the initial reports.

Footage circulated on social media showed sympathisers and emergency responders attempting to rescue injured passengers from the wreckage.

A witness identified as Nsikakabasi Akpan shared footage of the aftermath, showing people assisting victims and evacuating injured occupants.

The accident occurred as supporters and government officials were travelling towards the airport to receive the President.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer for Road Safety Operations of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Akwa Ibom State, Paul James, said the command had deployed a response team to the scene.

James explained that the agency had yet to receive a comprehensive report establishing the number of casualties or the circumstances surrounding the collision.

He therefore declined to confirm the reported death pending further information from personnel deployed to the location.

The authorities had also not established the precise cause of the accident at the time of the initial reports.

In another incident during the visit, Tinubu was seen in a video appearing to lose his balance briefly while walking towards his convoy.

Security personnel and aides immediately moved to steady the President, preventing him from falling.

The footage circulated online and attracted reactions, although the brief stumble did not prevent the President from participating in the activities of his visit.

Despite the incidents, Tinubu’s visit was marked by political endorsements, infrastructure announcements and renewed promises of economic development.

The President maintained that his administration’s reforms had placed Nigeria on a more sustainable financial path and urged voters to give him another opportunity to consolidate the policies.

Governor Eno, meanwhile, reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election and presented the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport as a central development priority for Akwa Ibom.

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