The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed cringing bewilderment over Governor Umo Eno’s recent official trip to London, accusing the Governor of prioritizing Lagos-based projects over the long-awaited Ibom Deep Sea Port.
In a press statement issued on Thursday by the State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ewa Okpo, the opposition party questioned the Governor’s role in the President’s delegation following the signing of a £746 million ($945 million) modernization deal for the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos.
The agreement, signed between Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance and Citi Bank, is designed to ease maritime congestion and bolster trade capacity.
The PDP expressed disappointment that despite Governor Eno’s June 2025 defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move he claimed was necessary to connect to the center and actualize the Ibom Deep Sea Port—the project appears to have been sidelined in favor of Lagos infrastructure.
The party noted that while the Governor’s media team has heavily promoted his presence in London alongside President Tinubu, there has been no mention of similar financial commitments for Akwa Ibom’s maritime sector.
“What better way is there to ease congestion in Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports than to expand and diversify our port options to include Ibom Deep Sea Port?” the statement queried.
The PDP argued that the Ibom project offers a natural alternative route for businesses within the South-East and South-South catchment areas, which would more effectively strengthen Nigeria’s overall trade efficiency.
The opposition further challenged the Governor to provide a transparent account of his diplomatic engagements upon his return. Specifically, the party demanded to know if any portion of the over ₦1.3 trillion represented by the £746 million deal was renegotiated to benefit Akwa Ibom, or if any alternative deals were secured to jumpstart the state’s blue economy goals.
Accusing the administration of misadministration and selfish political debauchery, Comrade Okpo warned that the people of Akwa Ibom are becoming increasingly aware of what the party described as a betrayal of collective aspirations.
The statement concluded with a biblical reference, suggesting that the Governor’s incompetence is becoming clearer daily and that a political judgment day is approaching.
As of the time of this report, the State Government has not issued an official response to the PDP’s allegations regarding the London trip or the status of the Ibom Deep Sea Port negotiations.
