Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has promised to deliver two million votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government approves and delivers the Ibom Deep Seaport.
Eno made the pledge on Friday in Uyo while welcoming Tinubu to a rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, saying the seaport would unlock the economy of the state, the South-South region and Nigeria at large.
The President subsequently approved the seaport project, responding to the governor’s appeal with the declaration: “Ibom Deep-Sea Port. It’s approved.”
Eno had urged Tinubu to make a conclusive pronouncement on the project, which he said would unlock economic opportunities, strengthen Nigeria’s maritime capacity and provide employment for thousands of people.
“Your Excellency, we thank you for approving the international operations of our airport, but the next phase of our development requires investment of strategic national importance,” the Governor said.
“This support is capable of unlocking the economic potential of not only Akwa Ibom State, but also the South-South region and the entire Nigerian economy,” Eno added.
“It is in this context that the Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr President, the Ibom Deep Seaport, is more than a maritime infrastructure. It is a strategic opportunity for Nigeria.”
Making a case for the project, Eno disclosed that the proposed port had a natural depth of 19 metres and would not require dredging.
“It may interest you to know that the Ibom Deep Seaport is a 19-metre deep seaport, requiring no dredging,” he said.
According to him, the project has the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s maritime capacity, facilitate international trade, support industrial growth, attract foreign direct investment and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Appealing directly to Tinubu, the governor said the project would have lasting benefits for generations of Akwa Ibom people.
“You will liberate our people forever. You will give jobs to our people, and generations yet unborn will not forget you, Your Excellency,” he said.
Eno had earlier used the occasion to reaffirm the state’s support for Tinubu’s re-election, declaring that Akwa Ibom would deliver more than two million votes to the President in 2027.
“I want to assure you that Akwa Ibom will return you massively in 2027, and we will bring our result to Aso Rock and show you what we can do with the combined effort of the Senate President and all of us,” he said.
“We will deliver over two million votes of our people to you. On your mandate, we shall stand.”
The Governor also attributed the growing political strength of the APC in the state to the support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom, and the relationship between the state and the Tinubu administration.
“Since he became the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Your Excellency, the crowd here today does not leave anyone in doubt whether Akwa Ibom is APC. Akwa Ibom is APC, and APC is Akwa Ibom,” Eno said.
He dismissed suggestions that the crowd at the rally was a token mobilisation, saying the turnout reflected support across the state.
“This is not the two-million-man march where we have only 100 people marching. This is APC all over the state, making a statement today,” he said.
Eno also listed projects and interventions by the Federal Government and his administration, which he said were contributing to the development of the state.
He thanked Tinubu for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, saying the road would connect Akwa Ibom seamlessly with other parts of the country and stimulate economic growth.
The Governor also cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), through which he said N5.8 billion had been disbursed to more than 43,000 students in the state.
“We thank you for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, through which N5.8 billion has so far been disbursed to over 43,000 students in the state,” he said.
He further commended the President for approving the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture in the state.
On projects being executed by his administration, Eno claimed that every local government area had benefited from at least 10 kilometres of road, a model healthcare centre, a model primary school and other people-oriented projects.
“I make bold to say that there is no local government area in this state where we have not executed at least 10 kilometres of road, a model healthcare centre, a model primary school centre, and other people-centric projects,” he said.
He added that his government was also working to position Akwa Ibom as a tourism destination.
Welcoming Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Governor said the large turnout across the state demonstrated the people’s affection for the President.
“President, sir, we love you. We cherish you. And you can see the expression of the deep affection we have for you through the massive number of people that have trooped out organically and wholly to welcome you,” he said.
Eno said the people of the state were looking forward to the President’s decision on the seaport, expressing confidence that the project would become a defining legacy of his administration in Akwa Ibom.
