RismadarVoice Reporters
November 7, 2026
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, accusing successive administrations of repeatedly promising the project without delivering.
Effiong also condemned the alleged compulsory mobilisation of civil servants and residents for Tinubu’s political rally in Akwa Ibom State on Friday.
In a statement, the lawyer questioned the significance of the President’s latest approval, arguing that previous administrations had made similar commitments.
He recalled that former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari had reportedly approved the project during the administrations of former governors Godswill Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel, respectively.
Effiong alleged that successive state governments had committed public resources to the proposed seaport without producing the expected infrastructure.
He called for greater accountability and urged political leaders to stop making repeated announcements without delivering tangible results.
Tinubu had announced his approval of the Ibom Deep Seaport on November 6 during an All Progressives Congress presidential rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.
The announcement followed a request by Governor Umo Eno, who pledged to mobilise two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election if the Federal Government delivered the project.
The Presidency subsequently confirmed the approval, describing the proposed seaport as an initiative expected to stimulate economic development and investment.
However, no construction commencement date or specific funding arrangement was announced during the event.
Effiong also questioned the decision to declare a work-free day for the presidential visit, alleging that residents and public employees were pressured to attend the political gathering.
He argued that participation in partisan activities should remain voluntary and challenged the state government to explain whether similar arrangements would be extended to opposition parties.
The lawyer further raised concerns about a reported road accident involving women travelling to welcome the President, alleging that the incident resulted in a fatality.
The circumstances of the accident and the alleged compulsory mobilisation were not independently established.
Effiong also criticised the Federal Government’s economic policies, arguing that Nigerians continued to face significant hardship.
He urged political leaders to prioritise accountability, protect citizens’ rights and ensure that major infrastructure promises translate into completed projects.
The Ibom Deep Seaport, initially conceived decades ago, remains one of Akwa Ibom’s longstanding infrastructure ambitions.
