Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that the people of the Niger Delta have resolved to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a further term beyond 2027, attributing this support to the various initiatives the administration has introduced to the region.
Akpabio delivered this message during the closing ceremony of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) 25th anniversary in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, marking the end of a week-long series of events. The occasion was attended by notable figures including former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume (representing President Tinubu), Rivers State Administrator Admiral Ibokette Ibas, lawmakers, traditional leaders, ministers, and other prominent personalities from the Niger Delta.
A statement from Akpabio’s Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, quoted the Senate President as saying that, historically, the Niger Delta contributed significantly to the nation’s wealth without receiving commensurate benefits. He highlighted that President Tinubu’s administration had established an Environmental Sciences University in Ogoni land to address environmental degradation caused by oil pollution. Additionally, a Maritime University was created in Okerenkoko, Delta State, and several new tertiary institutions focusing on agriculture and technology were set up. Akpabio emphasised that the region, as the nation’s economic backbone, should have a say in the management of its resources and in national leadership decisions.
He asserted that the people of the Niger Delta had evaluated President Tinubu’s performance and deemed him worthy of continued leadership. Akpabio warned those plotting against Tinubu, recalling past efforts to unseat President Goodluck Jonathan, and declared that the region now stands united in support of the current administration.
Akpabio criticized the history of frequent leadership changes in the NDDC, attributing over 14,700 abandoned projects to instability and political interference. He recounted his own efforts to complete the NDDC headquarters after it remained unfinished for more than 20 years. He praised the current leadership under Managing Director Dr Samuel Ogbuku for following the founding vision of the Commission and implementing projects that have positively affected local communities.
He described the internal political struggles within the NDDC, where leadership disputes and staff involvement often resulted in the removal of management teams before they could complete their mandates. Akpabio recounted that the Commission’s headquarters remained incomplete for over two decades until he, as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, directed its completion.
The Senate President commended the current stability under Dr Ogbuku and urged the Commission to maintain continuity, break the cycle of internal sabotage, and ensure that development projects reach completion.
Former President Jonathan echoed these sentiments, applauding President Tinubu for maintaining the current NDDC board, which he said would promote sustainable development in the region.
President Tinubu, in turn, acknowledged the Niger Delta’s support and reaffirmed the NDDC’s key role in the region’s economic advancement and the well-being of its people. He highlighted the administration’s flagship project, the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, which is expected to complement the East-West Road and enhance trade and connectivity throughout the Niger Delta.
