The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has criticised Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the latest announcement concerning the Ibom Deep Sea Port project in Akwa Ibom State, questioning how many times the ruling party would continue promising the same project without delivering it.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, made the criticism in a press statement on Sunday, describing the latest development as another round of empty promises and accusing the APC of turning the multibillion-dollar project into a recurring campaign tool.

Director recalled that the first major federal approval for the project came on 16 December 2020, when the Federal Executive Council (FEC), under former President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the implementation of the first phase of the proposed $4.6 billion Ibom Deep Sea Port.

According to him, the approval named Bollore/Power China as the preferred bidder and was intended to pave the way for construction to commence, but the project has remained unrealised despite the federal government’s earlier decision.

He further recalled that Tinubu, while campaigning as the APC presidential candidate, made a fresh commitment to the project during the party’s campaign rally at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on 30 January 2023.

At the rally, Tinubu reportedly promised residents that his administration would build the seaport, alongside plans for mechanised farming and food exports from Akwa Ibom, telling supporters: “We will do mechanised farming. We will export food from Akwa Ibom. We will build your seaport.”

However, Director argued that the 2023 campaign promise was not fulfilled, noting that more than three years later, Tinubu had returned to Akwa Ibom with another announcement concerning the same project.

He said the latest development occurred on Friday, 6 November 2026, when Tinubu again promised approval for the long-awaited seaport during his visit to Uyo.

Describing the latest announcement as the third time the project had featured prominently in federal approval or presidential campaign promises since 2020, the NDC spokesperson dismissed it as another potential empty promise, insisting that Akwa Ibom residents had waited long enough for the actual construction of the port.

The party also compared the prolonged wait for the Ibom Deep Sea Port to Nigerians’ continued demand for uninterrupted electricity supply, accusing the APC of making promises without delivering the expected results.

It urged Nigerians to reject the ruling party and support the NDC, declaring that “a New Nigeria is POssible with NDC.”