President Bola Tinubu has approved the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State after Governor Umo Eno pledged two million votes for his re-election in 2027.
The President announced the approval on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, during a rally organised in his honour as part of his visit to inaugurate projects executed by the state government.
Tinubu gave the assurance after Eno appealed to the Federal Government to approve the maritime project, which he described as crucial to the economic transformation of Akwa Ibom and the wider South-South region.
The President, while responding to the request, stressed that development initiatives must promote inclusion, create economic opportunities and improve the welfare of citizens.
After asking the crowd whether they would vote, Tinubu announced, “Okay, It’s approved.”
Earlier, Eno had tied the state’s electoral support for the President to the approval of the seaport, promising that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes in the 2027 presidential election.
“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,” he said.
The governor said the project remained the most important economic demand of the state, noting that it would expand maritime activities, attract investments, create thousands of jobs and open up new opportunities for international trade.
Eno also recalled that Tinubu had promised to establish the facility during his 2023 presidential campaign rally in Uyo, when he referenced the Lekki Deep Seaport, developed during his tenure as Lagos State governor.
The proposed project, initially conceived under former Governor Victor Attah as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City, has remained on the drawing board for decades despite featuring in successive political campaigns.
Eno expressed confidence that the port would become a major transhipment centre, boost industrial development and strengthen Nigeria’s maritime economy.
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He further said Akwa Ibom’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress was aimed at strengthening its relationship with the Federal Government and attracting more development to the state.
The governor assured Tinubu of the state’s commitment to mobilising support for his re-election, describing the approval of the seaport as a major step towards fulfilling the aspirations of the people.
