EXCLUSIVE: Lawyer Slams Tinubu Over Ibom Deep Seaport Approval, Calls Project Fraudulent

A Nigerian lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his approval of the proposed Ibom Deep-Sea Port in Akwa Ibom State.

He described the project as a fraudulent scheme allegedly used by successive state administrations to deceive residents.

Effiong also accused Governor Umo Eno of exploiting the project for political gains, arguing that previous administrations had made similar promises without delivering the proposed seaport.

The lawyer stated this in a post on X on Friday night, following Tinubu’s announcement of the approval during his visit to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He recalled that former governors Godswill Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel had also announced approvals for the establishment of the seaport during their respective administrations.

According to him, former President Goodluck Jonathan approved the project during Akpabio’s tenure, while the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari gave a similar approval under Emmanuel.

Effiong questioned why the project had remained unrealised despite the successive announcements.

“Today, Tinubu has taken his turn to give yet another approval for a fake seaport that no one has seen,” he wrote.

He further alleged that successive administrations had expended state resources on the project without tangible results.

“Akwa Ibom people are tired of this deceit and political lunacy. Politicians should not assume that they can perpetually engage in this level of dishonesty without rebuke,” he added.

The lawyer also condemned Eno over the shutdown of government activities in the state to welcome Tinubu, describing the decision as unconstitutional and an abuse of public office.

He argued that the President’s visit was primarily for his 2027 re-election campaign and should not have been presented as an official state function.

Effiong questioned whether the governor would similarly declare a work-free day for civil servants to attend campaign events organised by presidential candidates of opposition parties.

He also referenced the accident involving a vehicle conveying women to the airport to welcome Tinubu, which reportedly resulted in a fatality.

“Akwa Ibom people are not slaves, and we will never allow the deceit and arrogance of failed politicians to go unchallenged,” he stated.

Effiong further accused Tinubu’s administration of inflicting hardship on Nigerians through its policies, warning that Akwa Ibom State was not exempt from the consequences.

The criticism followed Tinubu’s announcement on Friday that he had approved the proposed Ibom Deep-Sea Port and the upgrade of Victor Attah International Airport to full international airport status.

The President made the announcements while addressing residents at a rally held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Tinubu recalled that he had promised to facilitate the establishment of a deep-sea port in the state during his 2023 presidential campaign, citing the Lekki Deep Sea Port, developed during his tenure as Lagos State governor, as a model.

“I heard from my friend, my governor, my pastor, on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, a request for Ibom’s deep-sea port. Ibom Deep-Sea Port. It’s approved,” he said.

Before the announcement, Governor Eno had pledged that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government approved and facilitated the 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,” Eno said.

Tinubu also pledged support for investments in education, skills development, job creation and economic growth in the state.

He identified palm produce cultivation and processing as sectors with significant economic potential, urging the state government to develop the industry to create sustainable employment opportunities.

“There is no reason why Akwa Ibom cannot use the value of palm trees and the palms here. There is no reason that we cannot create skills, developmental skills, that are enduring and everlasting,” the President said.