Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has criticised President Bola Tinubu and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, over the proposed Ibom Deep-Seaport project and the mobilisation of residents for the President’s visit to the state.
Effiong described Tinubu’s announcement of approval for the seaport as another political deception, questioning why previous approvals had not translated into the actual construction of the facility.
Tinubu announced the approval during his visit to Akwa Ibom, where he participated in activities connected to his political engagement in the state.
However, Effiong argued that the proposed seaport had remained an unfulfilled promise despite repeated announcements by successive administrations.
He specifically accused former governors Godswill Akpabio and Udom Emmanuel, as well as incumbent Governor Umo Eno, of repeatedly advertising the project without delivering it.
According to the lawyer, former President Goodluck Jonathan approved the proposed seaport during Akpabio’s administration, while former President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly gave another approval under Emmanuel.
He questioned the rationale behind Tinubu’s latest announcement, insisting that previous approvals had failed to produce a functioning deep seaport.
“Today, Tinubu has taken his turn to give yet another approval for a fake seaport that no one has seen,” Effiong said.
He maintained that Akwa Ibom residents were tired of what he described as repeated political promises and deception over the project.
Effiong also condemned Governor Eno over the shutdown of government activities and the mobilisation of residents, including civil servants, for Tinubu’s visit.
He described the arrangement as unconstitutional, alleging that public resources and government machinery were deployed to support a partisan political event.
The lawyer argued that Tinubu’s visit, given its political undertones, should not have been presented as an official state function.
He challenged the governor to explain whether similar arrangements would be made for opposition presidential candidates visiting Akwa Ibom for political campaigns.
Effiong further questioned whether the governor would declare a work-free day and direct civil servants to attend rallies organised by opposition politicians.
The human rights lawyer also raised concerns over an accident involving a vehicle conveying women reportedly travelling to the airport to welcome Tinubu.
He alleged that the incident resulted in a loss of lives, referencing an earlier report by SaharaReporters.
“Akwa Ibom people are not slaves, and we will never allow the deceit and arrogance of failed politicians to go unchallenged,” he declared.
Effiong also criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, accusing the Federal Government of imposing hardship on Nigerians.
He argued that Akwa Ibom residents were equally affected by the rising economic difficulties confronting households and businesses across the country.
His comments have brought renewed attention to the long-running Ibom Deep-Seaport project, questions surrounding successive government approvals, and the use of public institutions and resources during partisan political activities.
