President approves institution of Ibom deep sea port
Yilwatda, Yari: APC gained’t rig elections to retain energy in 2027
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima yesterday launched blistering assaults on the presidential candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi and that of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, taking the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) 2027 re-election marketing campaign to the South-south and difficult the opposition figures over their management data and political accomplishments.
The President is anticipated to take his marketing campaign to Rivers State at the moment.
While Tinubu questioned Obi’s capability to present the management required to sort out Nigeria’s challenges, citing his report as Anambra State Governor, Shettima challenged Atiku to account for the political buildings, successors and enduring establishments he had constructed throughout his a long time in public life.
The President, who spoke throughout a state go to and APC presidential rally in Akwa Ibom State, additionally authorised the institution of the Ibom Deep Sea Port, describing it as a significant catalyst for financial growth and prosperity within the state and the South-South area.
Governor Umo Eno had, in his welcome handle at the APC presidential rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, appealed to the President to approve the mission, assuring him that the individuals of Akwa Ibom would stay grateful if the request was granted.
“Your request for the Ibom Deep Sea Port is hereby approved. The Ibom Deep Sea Port will bring associated economic value and economic development to the people, just as the governor has said,” the President acknowledged.
Tinubu counseled Eno for his strides in infrastructure growth and human capital funding, noting that he had promptly authorised the improve of Victor Attah International Airport following the governor’s request.
He acknowledged the advantages of visionary management and continuity in governance, saying no societal problem was insurmountable with centered and decided management.
He additionally urged these looking for elective positions to serve their individuals with sincerity and dedication.
“There is no reason why Akwa Ibom cannot leverage the value of its palm trees and agricultural produce. There is no reason that we cannot create skills development — skills that are enduring and everlasting. When your governor requested international status for the airport, I did not hesitate; I approved it. Now, as you do for one, you do for the other,” Tinubu added.
The President urged youths at the rally to stay centered and assess the credibility, observe report and dedication of politicians looking for their votes within the January 2027 common election.
“You, the youth—do you have your PVCs? That is the weapon with which you can defeat tyranny and reject those deceiving you. The weapon you have is the PVC.
“I don’t have to enumerate what I’ve done for you. I’ve committed my remaining years to struggling for democracy, freedom, authenticity, development, and progress. But you have heard details from one of our best friends—you’ve heard from Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
“Have you seen development or not? You have seen progress. Your universities are no longer on strike. Economic value is being added to your lives. Governor Eno, thank you for working so hard for the love of your people,” he acknowledged.
On the forthcoming election, Tinubu described the January 16, 2027 ballot as consequential, saying it might decide the course of the nation.
“This coming election on January 16, 2027, is consequential. It will define the direction of this country. When I took office, 27 out of 36 governors in this country were unable to meet salary obligations, let alone pensions and gratuities. Today, I stand before you to say we are out of that dark tunnel.
“I can beat my chest and say we are out of the greatest despair—the dark journey of uncertainty and possible bankruptcy,” he mentioned.
The President criticised Obi, accusing the previous Anambra State governor of failing to exhibit the management required to confront main environmental challenges throughout his tenure.
Drawing a comparability between erosion issues in Anambra and the menace posed by the Atlantic Ocean to Lagos, Tinubu mentioned efficient management required braveness and the dedication to sort out troublesome issues.
“In Anambra State, he could not confront erosion. I, Bola Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean,” he mentioned.
He faulted Obi’s report in contrast with Eno’s efforts to sort out erosion and different infrastructure challenges in Akwa Ibom, arguing that political management ought to be measured by the willingness to confront issues relatively than keep away from them.
Tinubu additionally questioned Obi’s motion throughout political events, asking whether or not the lack to handle political variations and preserve relationships demonstrated the qualities required for nationwide management.
“Is that a leadership trait? Is that a leadership character?” he requested.
The President subsequently counseled Senate President Godswill Akpabio for his management of the National Assembly, describing him as “a round peg in a round hole”.
Speaking through the commissioning of the brand new Victor Attah International Airport terminal, Tinubu acknowledged Akpabio’s administration of the legislature and the help the National Assembly had given his administration.
“I recognise our host governor, Pastor Umo Eno and other members of the National Assembly here present, but let me single out our very able and respected Senate President who has navigated the affairs of the parliament very effectively,” he mentioned.
Tinubu additionally described his go to to Akwa Ibom as a homecoming, recalling his time as a Mobil auditor within the state.
“I worked here as a Mobil Auditor. We built Ibeno, developed Eket and I never knew I would be the President of Nigeria one day. We did what we needed to do,” he mentioned.
He once more counseled Eno for his efficiency, describing him as a person of conscience, dedication and imaginative and prescient.
“Governor Eno is a great man of conscience, commitment and visionary. When your request for the upgrade of the airport got to my desk, I didn’t hesitate because of your track record of performance,” the President mentioned.
Earlier, Shettima challenged Atiku to exhibit the enduring political establishments and successors he had produced throughout his a long time in public life.
He argued that political expertise ought to be assessed by tangible accomplishments, the event of successors and the flexibility to maintain political buildings, relatively than the size of time spent occupying public places of work.
“The presidency is not a retirement benefit for long years in politics. It is a responsibility that must be earned through ideas, competence, organisation, public confidence and demonstrable results,” Shettima declared.
He questioned Atiku’s political affect in Adamawa State, difficult him to establish governors and deputy governors he had nurtured who remained dedicated to his present political ambition.
Shettima maintained {that a} presidential candidate looking for to unite Nigeria ought to exhibit the flexibility to reconcile competing pursuits inside his quick political constituency.
“Charity, they say, begins at home. It does not end there, certainly. But what does not take root at home can hardly be expected to flourish elsewhere,” he mentioned.
The Vice President additionally raised questions on companies related to Atiku, together with Gotel Communications, Adamawa Plastics and Adama Beverages, saying their efficiency deserved scrutiny as a result of the previous Vice President had repeatedly introduced his entrepreneurial expertise as a qualification for managing Nigeria’s financial system.
He contrasted Atiku’s political report with Tinubu’s management of Lagos State, the place former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, alongside incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had continued to establish with the President’s political construction.
“The question is no longer how long you have been in politics; it is what your years in politics have built, whom you have raised and what has endured,” he mentioned.
Shettima additionally criticised Obi, accusing him of squandering the political goodwill he beforehand loved via what he described as falsehoods and deceptive statistics.
“Peter Obi has clearly messed up and squandered away his goodwill. He no longer excites when he speaks these days. He only draws suspicions,” he mentioned.
On his half, Akpabio counseled the six South-South governors for his or her developmental strides and help for the APC, assuring them that the National Assembly had supplied a robust basis for Tinubu to full the buildings he had laid.
He additionally thanked the President for approving the institution of a Federal University of Agriculture, a Federal University of Technology and a Police Academy in Akwa Ibom State, reiterating that the South-South states stood firmly with the APC.
Akpabio’s remarks got here as he praised the President’s management and the cooperation between the manager and legislative arms of presidency.
Also talking, APC National Chairman, Yilwatda, maintained that the ruling occasion wouldn’t want electoral manipulation to safe Tinubu’s re-election, citing the administration’s achievements and the occasion’s increasing political buildings.
“We don’t need to rig. We don’t need to add one vote to Mr President. He can win squarely,” he declared.
Yilwatda mentioned Tinubu acquired greater than 10 million votes durig the occasion’s presidential main, exceeding the votes he secured within the 2023 common election.
He additionally cited the APC’s numerical power amongst governors, federal lawmakers, state legislators and native authorities chairmen as proof of its organisational capability.
The National Chairman defended Tinubu’s financial reforms, highlighting investments in infrastructure, training, client credit score, pupil loans and help for small companies.
He mentioned the administration’s insurance policies had been positioning Nigeria in direction of the President’s ambition of constructing a $1 trillion financial system by 2030.
Yilwatda significantly counseled the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene highway tasks, saying they might enhance transportation, cut back logistics prices and strengthen commerce throughout the area.
Similarly, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, insisted that the ruling occasion wouldn’t manipulate the 2027 election, sustaining that Tinubu’s achievements had been ample to earn him one other mandate.
“We are not going to rig the election, but Nigerians are going to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu because he has laid the foundation for a better Nigeria,” he mentioned.
Yari set a goal of at least 1.6 million votes for Tinubu in Akwa Ibom, difficult the occasion’s management to mobilise eligible voters.
He additionally challenged opposition politicians over complaints about starvation and unemployment, arguing that the federal government had launched programmes to help farmers, small companies, market ladies and job creation.
“What programme do you have in place that is better than what Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has today?
“In terms of unemployment, what do you have in place that Asiwaju has not put in place that you are going to present to Nigerians?” he requested.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Governors Forum and the South-South governors, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, applauded Tinubu for the continuing development of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the institution of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), amongst different legacy tasks.
He additionally counseled Eno for the huge turnout of supporters at the stadium.
“The Coastal Highway is a masterpiece. No President, living or dead, ever conceived it. All six governors of the South-South are solidly behind you. Carry go,” Diri assured the President.
At a reception in his honour at the 70-hectare Arise Palm Resort, Eno informed Tinubu that he felt fulfilled by the approval of the Ibom Deep Sea Port mission.
President-General of the Akwa Ibom Council of Traditional Rulers and Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, His Eminence Dr Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, expressed satisfaction in figuring out with the administration and prayed for the President’s success in his second-term bid.
Upon arrival within the state, Tinubu inaugurated the brand new Victor Attah International Airport terminal constructing, Ring Road 3, linking Idoro Road to Ikot Ekpene Road via Uyo and Ibiono Ibom, and the Arise Palm Resort.
