BY UBON EKANEM, UYO – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mocked Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate over his environmental track record, boasting that while he successfully “tamed the Atlantic Ocean” during his tenure as the Governor of Lagos State.
In a move meant to place under public scrutiny an alleged deficient environmental performance of Obi as governor, the President said compared to the enormous work that he did in Lagos to restraint the Atlantic Ocean, Obi regrettably fled from the erosion challenges plaguing Anambra State during his time as governor.
President Tinubu, who threw the punch at Obi on Friday during a reception and rally held in his honour at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, the Akwa Inom State capital, contrasted his administrative legacy in Lagos with that of his rival, framing infrastructure management as the ultimate test of leadership.
According to him, his efforts to reclaim the Ocean at Eko Atlantic City when he was governor of Lagos State, speaks of capacity because he confronted the Atlantic Ocean and succeeded, unlike Obi who could not withstand erosion in his state.
He asserted that the ambitious Eko Atlantic project proved his capacity to conquer unprecedented ecological crises, while clearly amplifying Obi’s lack of capacity to tackle the severe gully erosion that ravaged many communities during his days at the Anambra Government House in Awka.
Going for Obi’s jugular, the President, seeking re-election under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s platform,said, “There is one who says he is in a party they call NDC, who is running for president. He ran away from erosion in Anambra state. He could not confront erosion. I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, confronted the Atlantic Ocean. I tamed it.”
Later, the President, while inaugurating the Arise Palm Resort in Uyo, commended Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom took further jab at the NDC flag bearer saying: “Here we are on a resort reclaimed from erosion. And we are going to enjoy life here. You want to compare the brain of this man to that of Obi who ran away from erosion in Anambra. And he now wants to be president? President of where?”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu announced the approval of the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport project in Akwa Ibom State while responding to a request by Governor Umo Eno in Uyo on Friday.
The President, who was in the state to inaugurate projects executed by the Eno administration, said the development must promote inclusive growth, create economic value and bring progress to the people, saying: “Now, development must be even inclusive and reasonable, must bring progress and create economic value. I heard from my friend, my governor, my pastor, on behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, request for Ibom’s deep-sea port.”
He subsequently declared, “Okay, It’s approved.” The verbal approval comes on the heels of Governor Eno’s promise that Akwa Ibom would deliver two million votes for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 if the Federal Government delivered the seaport.
The Governor told Mr President, “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”, describing the seaport as the most important economic demand of the people of Akwa Ibom.
Explaining that the project would transform the state’s maritime, industrial and employment landscape, Governor Eno said the people of the state had remained loyal to Tinubu since 2023 and were asking him to fulfil his promise to build the facility.
During his 2023 presidential campaign rally at the same stadium, Tinubu, then the APC president flag bearer had promised to build the deep seaport, citing the Lekki Deep Seaport, developed during his tenure as Lagos State governor, as an example of what he hoped to achieve in Akwa Ibom State
However, almost four years down the line, Governor Eno said it is regrettable that the project, conceived during the administration of former Governor Victor Attah as the Ibaka Deep Seaport and Industrial City, had remained unrealised for decades despite featuring in successive presidential campaigns.
“This seaport would serve as a major trans-shipment hub. It will create thousands of jobs for our people. It will open Akwa Ibom to international trade and investment,” the governor said.
