Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the renewed approval of the Ibom Deep Sea Port project, questioning why the Federal Government is making another commitment on a project it claimed had already received approval under the previous administration.
The opposition party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, accused the APC of turning the long-awaited Akwa Ibom infrastructure project into a recurring campaign promise rather than delivering it.
The NDC asked, “How many times will the APC approve the Ibom Deep Sea Port?”, arguing that the latest announcement by President Tinubu was a repetition of previous commitments made by the ruling party.
President Tinubu had on Friday, November 6, 2026, announced the approval of the proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port during his visit to Akwa Ibom State, following a request by Governor Umo Eno at a rally in Uyo. The President said the project would bring economic value and development to the state and the South-South region.
However, the NDC recalled that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under former President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the implementation of the first phase of the $4.6 billion Ibom Deep Sea Port project in December 2020.
According to the party, the earlier approval identified Bollore/Power China as the preferred bidder and was expected to pave the way for the commencement of construction.
The opposition party also recalled that Tinubu, while campaigning for the presidency in 2023, promised to build the seaport during an APC campaign rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The NDC alleged that despite the promise, the project remained unrealised, describing the fresh approval as another political commitment without evidence of implementation.
“Obviously, this is another round of cheap promises that will not be kept or honoured,” the party said, accusing the APC of using major development projects as campaign tools.
The party further argued that Nigerians and Akwa Ibom residents were still waiting for the completion of major promises made by successive APC administrations, including improved electricity supply.
The Ibom Deep Sea Port has remained one of Akwa Ibom’s biggest infrastructure ambitions, with supporters saying the project could transform maritime trade, attract investment, create jobs and position the state as a major commercial hub in the South-South region.
The project’s official status indicates that federal approval had been obtained, land acquisition completed and other preparatory steps carried out, with the project listed at the Full Business Case and procurement stage.
The latest political dispute has now shifted attention from the promise of the port to questions over when actual construction and implementation will begin.
