Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced the Niger Delta region’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, crediting the administration’s developmental strides in the oil-producing zone.
The declaration came during Saturday’s grand finale of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s 25th anniversary celebrations in Port Harcourt.
Akpabio, in a statement by his media aide Anietie Ekong, highlighted transformative projects including the newly established Environmental Sciences University in Ogoni land and the Maritime University in Delta State. “In the past, the Niger Delta was treated as the goose that laid the golden egg but had nothing to show for it,” he stated. “Today, President Tinubu has changed this narrative through concrete educational investments and infrastructure.”
The Senate President dismissed opposition plots, asserting: “No conspiracy against this administration will prosper. The Niger Delta has found Tinubu worthy to continue beyond 2027.” He recalled similar “periwinkle politics” that undermined former President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure.
Akpabio blamed rotational leadership crises for stalling regional development, revealing: “Over 14,700 projects were abandoned due to management changes.” He criticized the “endless tussles where each new team sabotaged predecessors,” citing the NDDC headquarters project that remained incomplete for 20 years until his intervention as Niger Delta Affairs Minister.
Praising current NDDC Chairman Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s uninterrupted tenure, Akpabio noted: “Continuity is critical. The commission must break cycles of sabotage.” Former President Jonathan endorsed this view, commending Tinubu for maintaining stable NDDC leadership.
Representing Tinubu, SGF George Akume conveyed the President’s appreciation for Niger Delta support, pledging sustained development efforts. He spotlighted the 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a transformative project that will synergize with the East-West Road to stimulate commerce across the region.
The high-profile event gathered state governors, federal lawmakers, traditional rulers and development stakeholders, signaling political alignment behind Tinubu’s Niger Delta agenda as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
With the NDDC now operating from its permanent headquarters, Akpabio charged the commission to prioritize project completion over new initiatives to maximize impact.
