The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared that the people of the Niger Delta have resolved to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing major infrastructural and institutional projects brought to the region under his administration.
Akpabio made the declaration at the weekend during the grand finale of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event, which marked the climax of a week-long celebration, was attended by former President Goodluck Jonathan; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented President Tinubu; Rivers State Administrator, Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd); lawmakers, traditional rulers, ministers, and stakeholders from across the region.
According to a statement by Anietie Ekong, Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Senate President, Akpabio said President Tinubu has demonstrated unprecedented commitment to the Niger Delta through the establishment of key institutions and support for legacy projects.
“In the past, the Niger Delta was used as the goose that laid the golden egg, with nothing to show for it,” Akpabio stated. “Today, President Tinubu has set up an Environmental Sciences University in Ogoniland to address years of oil pollution and environmental degradation. He also signed the Maritime University in Okerenkoko into law and established other institutions focused on agriculture and technology.”
He stressed that the Niger Delta, as the economic backbone of the country, deserves a voice in determining Nigeria’s political leadership.
“This is the region that produces the wealth of the nation. We have the right to choose who manages our resources. We, the people of the Niger Delta, have assessed President Tinubu and found him fit to continue in office beyond 2027,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President also criticized what he described as “periwinkle politics” and the high turnover of NDDC management teams, which he blamed for stagnating development and leaving thousands of projects abandoned.
“There were many reasons for the problems in the NDDC. Part of it was leadership tussles. Each management conspired against itself, aided by staff. Before long, the management would be sacked and replaced, creating a vicious cycle,” he lamented.
Akpabio recalled how over 14,700 projects were abandoned due to frequent changes in leadership, noted that the Commission could not complete its headquarters in over 20 years until his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
He commended the current NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for staying true to the Commission’s mandate and driving impactful projects, attributing the stability of the current leadership to President Tinubu’s deliberate decision to allow the board to complete its tenure.
Also speaking, former President Goodluck Jonathan lauded President Tinubu for sustaining the leadership of the NDDC, stressed that consistency in leadership was key to achieving meaningful development in the region.
President Tinubu, in a message delivered by SGF Senator Akume, expressed appreciation for the support of the Niger Delta and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to regional growth. He described the NDDC as a cornerstone for the economic prosperity of the region and highlighted the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a legacy project that would complement the East-West Road and boost regional connectivity.
