President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno that his administration will support the construction of the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport following the governor's defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The assurance came during a grand reception held on Saturday at the Godswill International Stadium in Uyo to formally welcome Governor Eno into the ruling party.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu at the event, emphasized that the governor would not regret his decision to join the APC.
"We are here because we believe in building bridges not walls and mending fences, not destroying it. President Tinubu is a bridge builder and your decision to come to APC is one you can never regret," Shettima stated.
"The president assures you that you won't be humiliated or forsaken, we are your brothers and we will rise together. We are not an assemblage of politicians. We are a family," he added.
Seaport Project Takes Center Stage
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking at the event, confirmed that the Ibom Deep Seaport project was among Governor Eno's key requests to the federal government.
"What we have here today is not just a political movement, but a political maturity. You have placed the peace and development of Akwa Ibom State above party lines," Akpabio said.
"Among the things you asked for from the centre was the Ibom Deep Seaport. Don't worry, we will give you more than you asked for," the Senate President assured.
Governor Eno, in his remarks, explained that his decision to join the APC on June 6 was strategic, aimed at aligning with the center to support President Tinubu's economic reforms and bring development to Akwa Ibom State.
"We are not afraid to join APC as we know, with APC, we will realise our Ibom Deep Seaport. Today we are reassured by the federal government that we will have it," the governor stated.
He highlighted the natural advantages of the proposed seaport location, noting, "Akwa Ibom has 19.1m deep and we don't even need to dredge even if it is one terminal, this movement would have been justified."
APC's Growing Influence in South-South
APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje welcomed Governor Eno to the party, describing him as "a wise man who understands the difference between national isolation and national unity."
Ganduje expressed satisfaction that the South-South region now has four APC governors, suggesting that the remaining two opposition-controlled states might soon follow suit.
"Since we are progressive governors in the South-South, it will be easier to take care of the problem of the region," Ganduje remarked.
Senate President Akpabio also pledged to ensure President Tinubu's victory in the South-South during the 2027 election, with Governor Eno committing to help deliver the presidency.
"We have taken the risk to join the Senate President to deliver the Presidency come 2027 and we know that every risk has a reward and our reward should be the Ibom deep seaport which for over 30 years we struggled to have," Governor Eno said.
The Ibom Deep Seaport project, if realized, would significantly boost economic activities in Akwa Ibom State and the entire South-South region.
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