* Opposition occasion says Buhari-era FEC approval for $4.6bn undertaking stays unfulfilled
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his renewed promise to assemble the Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom State, questioning why the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to make recent commitments on a undertaking that was accepted by the earlier administration in 2020.
The opposition occasion described Tinubu’s newest pledge as a repetition of an earlier marketing campaign promise, insisting that the Federal Government had but to display tangible dedication to translating the proposed multibillion-dollar undertaking into actuality.
Tinubu reportedly renewed the promise on Friday, November 6, 2026, whereas addressing supporters throughout his go to to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
However, in a press release Sunday, the NDC’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, accused the APC of utilizing the proposed deep seaport as a political marketing campaign instrument slightly than demonstrating the political will to implement the undertaking.
The occasion recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC), below former President Muhammadu Buhari, accepted the implementation of the primary part of the $4.6 billion Ibom Deep Sea Port undertaking on December 16, 2020.
According to the opposition occasion, the approval had recognized Bollore/Power China as the popular bidder and was anticipated to pave the best way for the graduation of building.
It argued that the renewed dedication by Tinubu was notably troubling as a result of he had additionally promised to construct the port in the course of the APC’s 2023 presidential marketing campaign in Akwa Ibom State.
At the occasion’s presidential marketing campaign rally held on the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on January 30, 2023, Tinubu reportedly promised to ascertain the seaport alongside different growth 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 occasion, nonetheless, accused the APC of failing to fulfil that dedication greater than three years after making it.
It questioned the rationale behind making one other promise on the identical undertaking with out offering an account of what had occurred to the sooner federal approval.
Describing the event as a sign of what it known as the APC’s unfulfilled marketing campaign guarantees, the NDC requested what number of occasions the Federal Government would announce its approval of the Ibom Deep Sea Port earlier than precise building would begin.
“What a hocus-pocus, what hogwash, and what barefaced lies and shenanigans of a rudderless party! How many times will the APC approve the Ibom Deep Sea Port?” the occasion requested.
The NDC additional accused the ruling occasion of elevating political guarantees above measurable efficiency, arguing that Akwa Ibom residents deserved concrete explanations on the standing of the undertaking slightly than repeated assurances throughout electioneering.
It maintained that the deep seaport, if efficiently carried out, would have important financial implications for the state and the nation, notably in increasing maritime actions, facilitating worldwide commerce and creating employment alternatives.
The occasion additionally drew a comparability between the unfulfilled seaport promise and the Federal Government’s dedication to offering uninterrupted electrical energy throughout the nation.
“As Nigerians are still waiting for the APC and President Tinubu to give us uninterrupted electricity supply, so Akwa Ibomites are waiting endlessly for the promised deep sea port that has become a campaign tool of deceit,” it acknowledged.
The opposition occasion urged Nigerians to carry the ruling occasion accountable for its marketing campaign commitments, insisting that electoral guarantees must be measured towards precise supply.
It known as on voters to reject the APC within the 2027 common election, arguing that the nation required a change in political management and governance priorities.
The NDC mentioned its proposed political various provided Nigerians a possibility to pursue what it described as a brand new path for the nation.
“Nigerians must shine their eyes and dump the APC into the abyss of socio-political irrelevance and make a new Nigeria possible,” the occasion added.
The assertion was signed by Director, who reiterated the NDC’s place {that a} new Nigeria was attainable below its political platform.
