The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared his support for President Bola Tibunu’s second-term bid, citing Tinubu’s commitment to national development through critical infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Eno, who is a governor of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, made the declaration on Tuesday while representing President Tinubu during the official flag-off of the 65-kilometre, three-lane dual carriageway section of the highway project in Nsit-Antai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
His declaration comes on the same day the PDP Governors’ Forum said the party would not collapse into any coalition aimed at ousting Tinubu from power in 2027.
In a statement issued shortly after the event, Eno described Tinubu as a visionary and de-tribalised leader whose agenda is bringing tangible development to all parts of Nigeria, irrespective of party lines or political affiliations.
“I want to express the sentiments of the people of Akwa Ibom State for allowing the project to pass through our state. It could have gone elsewhere, so we do not take this for granted,” Eno said.
He said the inclusion of Akwa Ibom in the multi-billion naira highway project was a testament to the President’s commitment to equitable development.
“Mr. President has approved and embarked on this audacious project that is set to unlock our economic potential, especially for coastal communities. This initiative aligns with his Renewed Hope Agenda and deserves to be completed under his leadership,” the governor added.
Declaring his full support for President Tinubu’s re-election, Eno said, “Let me end by assuring our people-loving President that we will stand by him. He deserves to complete his eight years in office. He cannot start this work and abandon it. Someone else may not finish it with the same passion.”
Quoting the Bible, he continued, “The hand that has started this work will complete it. Our prayer is for God to grant Mr. President good health and strength to finish what he has begun so it doesn’t become another abandoned project like the East-West Road.”
Speaking earlier at the event, President Tinubu (through his written remarks delivered by Eno) reaffirmed the central role of infrastructure in national growth, stating that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would accelerate socio-economic development and promote national integration.
“Great leaders think big and do not politicize transformative projects. Road infrastructure is a key catalyst for development—it creates ease in movement of goods and services, stimulates interstate connectivity, and improves lives. This is the vision behind the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,” Tinubu noted.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, also praised the project and commended Governor Eno for prioritizing road development within the state.
He revealed that the highway will benefit the state doubly by passing through the airport and the new Qua refinery recently attracted to the state.
“Who else could have done this but President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—the man who envisioned this project 27 years ago as Governor of Lagos?” Umahi said.
He added that following appeals from Governor Eno and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu over the state of the Calabar-Itu road, President Tinubu has directed HITECH Construction Company to immediately mobilise to site, promising that the road would be motorable within two months.
While attempts to reach the Akwa Ibom State PDP Chairman, Aniekan Akpan, were unsuccessful, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Edwin Ebiese, clarified that Governor Eno’s comments were in support of the President’s infrastructure agenda.
He added, however, that discussions about endorsing Tinubu for a second term would be deliberated at the party’s forthcoming general meeting.
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