President Bola Tinubu has approved the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State following a request by Governor Umo Eno and his pledge to deliver two million votes for the President’s re-election in 2027.
Tinubu announced the approval on Friday while responding to Eno during a reception and political rally held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.
The President, who was in the state to inaugurate projects executed by the Eno administration, said the development must promote inclusive growth, create economic value and improve the lives of the people.
“Now, development must be even inclusive and reasonable, must bring progress and create economic value. I heard from my friend, my governor, my pastor, on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, request for Ibom’s deep-sea port,” Tinubu said.
After reiterating the governor’s request, the President asked the crowd, “Will you vote?”
He subsequently declared, “Okay, it’s approved.”
The announcement followed Eno’s pledge that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government approved the seaport 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,” the governor said.
Eno described the seaport as one of the most important economic priorities of the people of Akwa Ibom, saying it would transform the state’s maritime, industrial and employment sectors.
He said residents had remained loyal to Tinubu since 2023 and were asking the President to fulfil his promise to establish the facility.
Tinubu had, during his 2023 presidential campaign rally at the same stadium, pledged to build the deep seaport, citing the Lekki Deep Seaport, developed during his tenure as Lagos State governor, as an example of the kind of development he hoped to replicate in Akwa Ibom.
Eno explained that the project, initially conceived as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah, had remained unrealised for decades despite featuring in successive presidential campaign promises.
“This seaport would serve as a major transhipment hub. It will create thousands of jobs for our people. It will open Akwa Ibom to international trade and investment,” he said.
The governor also said Akwa Ibom had aligned with the Federal Government by joining the All Progressives Congress to attract greater federal presence and accelerate development in the state.
He assured Tinubu of the state’s support for his re-election bid in 2027, describing the proposed seaport as a major economic dividend the people expected from the President’s administration.
