Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the people of the Niger Delta are ready to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, citing key developmental strides recorded in the region under his administration.
Akpabio made the statement on Saturday at the grand finale of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The event, which concluded a week-long celebration, had in attendance former President Goodluck Jonathan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume (who represented President Tinubu), Rivers State Administrator Admiral Ibokette Ibas, federal ministers, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and other key regional stakeholders.
“On Tinubu’s Mandate We Stand” — Akpabio
According to a statement by Anietie Ekong, Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Senate President, Akpabio lauded the President for initiating transformative projects across the region.
“In the past, the Niger Delta was used as the goose that laid the golden egg, yet had nothing to show for it. But under President Tinubu, the region is witnessing tangible development, and the people are ready to stand by him beyond 2027,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President listed notable initiatives, including:
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The establishment of the Environmental Sciences University in Ogoniland
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The Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Delta State, now signed into law
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Tertiary institutions in Agriculture and Technology
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Numerous infrastructure and development projects
He emphasized that the region, which produces Nigeria’s oil wealth, must have a say in the leadership of the country.
“This is the region that produces the wealth of the nation. We have the right to choose who manages our resources. Nobody should think they can emerge as President without consultation with the people of the Niger Delta,” he added.
Akpabio also warned against what he described as renewed political conspiracies against the Tinubu-led administration.
“We the people of the Niger Delta have assessed President Tinubu and have found him fit to continue in office beyond 2027... No conspiracy formed against this government that has recognized the Niger Delta shall prosper,” he declared.
Abandoned Projects and a Call for Stability at NDDC
Akpabio expressed concern over the historical instability within the NDDC, blaming the high turnover of its management for over 14,700 abandoned projects.
“Each time a new team came on board, they initiated new projects and abandoned the old ones. This led to waste of resources and slowed development,” he said.
He criticized what he called “periwinkle politics” within the region, where internal power struggles often led to the frequent sacking of NDDC leadership.
“Everybody wants to lead. Nobody wants to wait for their turn. That has been our problem,” Akpabio said, urging the commission to embrace continuity over sabotage.
He praised the current management led by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, noting that the administration had begun to reverse the trend by delivering impactful projects and aligning with the vision of the Commission’s founding fathers.
“I salute the present management. Stability is returning, and that’s what we need,” he said.
Jonathan, Tinubu Laud Stability and Strategic Vision
Former President Goodluck Jonathan echoed Akpabio’s sentiments, applauding President Tinubu for allowing the current NDDC board to complete its tenure — a move he described as a step toward sustainable development in the oil-rich region.
President Tinubu, in a message delivered by SGF George Akume, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the Niger Delta and praised the NDDC as a pioneer development institution central to the region’s economic growth and well-being.
The President cited his administration’s legacy infrastructure project, the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, as a key investment that will complement the East-West Road, promote inter-state trade, and connect coastal communities across the South-South and beyond.
