Nigeria Democratic Congress leader Peter Obi has committed to initiating the construction of the Ibom Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State if he assumes the presidency. Making this announcement via a social media broadcast following a political homecoming event in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Obi stated that his administration would prioritize upgrading maritime facilities across the Niger Delta region.
What did the politician promise regarding regional ports?
Obi outlined plans to modernize existing port facilities in Warri, Port Harcourt, and Calabar, alongside the establishment of a brand-new port in Bayelsa State to cater to riverine communities. The long-debated Ibom Deep Seaport project, originally conceptualized during the tenure of former Akwa Ibom Governor Victor Attah, has faced decades of delays despite featuring prominently in successive presidential campaigns.
How does this compare to previous commitments?
The latest pledge brings Obi's campaign rhetoric in line with other major political figures. President Bola Tinubu previously assured residents during his 2023 campaign rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo that his administration would deliver the seaport. Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State subsequently disclosed in March 2026 that the president had repeatedly reassured him regarding the federal government's backing for the project.
Obi previously campaigned on the same infrastructural platform during the 2022 and 2023 election cycles, arguing that developing the coastal facility in Akwa Ibom's Mbo and Ibeno local government areas would provide Nigeria with a vital export channel. However, his recent announcement did not specify a construction timeline, financing structures, or formal partnership frameworks with maritime authorities.