Tinubu Woos Akwa Ibom Voters With Better Future Promise, Criticises Obi, Atiku

UYO — President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians of a better future, promising improved infrastructure, education, skills development and job opportunities while urging voters to retain his administration.

The President made the pledge yesterday during a political visit to Akwa Ibom State, where he also launched verbal attacks on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing both politicians of lacking the leadership qualities needed to govern Nigeria.

Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, called on the people of the state to support his government and Governor Umo Eno, arguing that continuity would help sustain ongoing development.

His visit was, however, marred by a fatality-feared accident involving an AKTC bus carrying women mobilised to welcome him. The vehicle reportedly collided with a security Hilux van along Oron Road, Uyo, leaving several people seriously injured.

Describes Akwa Ibom visit as homecoming

Speaking at the rally, Tinubu said his relationship with Akwa Ibom dated back to his early professional years when Mobil Oil recruited him following his experience at Deloitte.

“It’s like a homecoming for me. I remember having cut my teeth with Deloitte, the greatest accounting firm in America. I expressed the desire to come home. Mobil Oil recruited me.

“Part of the first assignment I was given was to audit the operations of Mobil in Eket. We used to go by boat to Ibono Terminal at that time. Akwa Ibom and I have been united ever since then. Till now, they decided that we are going to keep good company,” he said.

He encouraged young Nigerians to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), describing the cards as their strongest tool for influencing political leadership and resisting bad governance.

“To you, the youth, do you have your PVC? Show me your hand if you have your PVC. To me, that is your sword. That is the weapon you need to defeat tyranny, to defeat those who deceive, those who don’t appreciate the value of a growing economy and the value of promising prosperity.

“The weapon you have is the PVC. I don’t have to enumerate what I’ve done for you. I’ve committed my last years to struggling for democracy, freedom, authenticity, development and progress,” Tinubu said.

The President maintained that his administration had brought progress, particularly in the education sector, and urged voters not to abandon the gains recorded.

“Have you seen development or not? You have seen progress. Your university is no longer on strike. There’s economic value being added to your life,” he told supporters.

He subsequently appealed to the electorate to give his administration continued support, promising more development projects, educational opportunities, vocational training and employment.

“I’m begging you for the sake of your future. I promise you a better future; I promise you development; I promise you education; I promise you skill development; I promise you jobs. We are going to plant a lot of economic trees. There’s no reason why Akwa Ibom cannot use the value of palm trees,” he added.

Says Nigeria has escaped financial collapse

Tinubu described the January 16, 2027 election as a defining moment for the nation, arguing that the outcome would determine Nigeria’s future direction.

He defended his economic policies, claiming they had prevented the country from sliding into bankruptcy.

According to him, “This coming election, on January 16th is a consequential election. It will define the direction of this country. When I took over, 27 governors out of 36 of this country were unable to pay salary, not to talk of pension, and gratuity. Today I can say that we are out of that tunnel. And I can beat my chest to say we are out of the despair, the dark tunnel of uncertainty and the calamity of a possible bankruptcy. By now if we didn’t take over, if we didn’t do what we did, we will be using the wheelbarrows to move our naira about because it will have become valueless.”

He admitted that the reforms had imposed difficulties on Nigerians but insisted that he shared their concerns.

“It was difficult; it was hard. It was hard for me, too. I don’t know the pain of the market, but I share your pain. I share your difficulty.

On education, Tinubu defended the student loan programme, saying it was intended to make education more accessible and reduce the financial burden on parents.

“We’re taking education as the greatest weapon against poverty and creating opportunity for those who are still coming behind. From today on, as we are fighting corruption, any recovered corruption proceeds would be channelled into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)

He also insisted that the Federal Government would not restore fuel subsidy, invoking the biblical account of Moses leading the Israelites across the Red Sea to emphasise the need for Nigeria to move ahead rather than reverse its economic decisions.

Questions Obi’s and Atiku’s leadership credentials

The President took aim at Peter Obi, accusing the former Anambra State governor of failing to adequately address erosion challenges during his tenure.

“Obi ran away from erosion in Anambra and he will now want to be president? President of where?”

Tinubu also questioned Atiku’s leadership ability, citing his political defections and movement between parties as evidence of what he described as a lack of responsibility.

“Immediately a little inclination came that they were going to challenge leadership, he ran away. He abandoned the party. He now belongs to another party, and he’s looking for the presidency? Will you give such a person opportunity who has no leadership quality, no sense of responsibility?” he asked.

Grants approval for Ibom Deep Sea Port

Tinubu approved a major infrastructure request presented by Governor Umo Eno during the rally, announcing the Federal Government’s approval of the proposed Ibom Deep Sea Port.

Responding to the governor, he said:

“On behalf of the people and leadership of Akwa Ibom, the governor requested for Ibom Deep Sea Port. It’s approved.”

The announcement was greeted with loud applause and repeated chants of “Thank you, President! Thank you, President! Thank you, President!”

Tinubu said the port would create economic opportunities and stimulate development across the state.

“Ibom Deep Sea Port will bring associated economic value and economic development,” he said.

He further praised Eno’s efforts to tackle erosion in the state, describing his approach as evidence of effective leadership.

“Governor Eno confronted the erosion in Akwa Ibom, and it’s working for you. It’s stable. They lack the leadership character and traits,” he said in an apparent reference to his political opponents.

Commends governor over Ibom Palm Resort

During a reception organised in his honour at Ibom Palm Resort, Tinubu commended Governor Eno for the facility, describing it as a demonstration of vision and the transformation of environmentally damaged land into a productive destination.

“We are standing on a resort to the glory of God, which is a product of 73 acres of land of gully erosion, reclaimed, surrounded with a good, romantic, artificial lake, demonstrating a serious vision that is achievable when honest people are working for their homes,” he said.

Road accident leaves several injured

Separately, the President’s visit was overshadowed by a road accident involving an AKTC bus conveying women mobilised to receive him at the airport.

The bus reportedly crashed into a security Hilux van along Oron Road, Uyo, while heading towards the airport. Both vehicles sustained significant damage.

Eyewitness accounts indicated that one person was feared dead, while several other occupants sustained serious injuries.

Footage shared by Nsikakabasi Akpan showed people and early responders attempting to evacuate injured passengers from the wreckage.

Akpan said the collision involved a bus transporting women to the airport to welcome the President and a security vehicle.

Paul James, Public Relations Officer, Road Safety Operations, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Akwa Ibom State Command, confirmed the incident, saying the command had sent a response team to the location.

He, however, explained that officials were yet to establish the number of casualties and the exact circumstances of the crash as of the time this report was filed.

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