A human rights activist and legal practitioner, Inibehe Effiong, has condemned the Akwa Ibom State Government for allegedly compelling civil servants and residents to attend President Bola Tinubu’s campaign event during his visit to the state.
Effiong also described Tinubu’s announcement of approval for the establishment of the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport as fraudulent, alleging that successive administrations in the state had used the project to deceive residents.
In a statement reacting to events surrounding Tinubu’s visit on Friday, November 6, 2026, Effiong accused the President and Governor Umo Eno of allegedly engaging in political deceit over the proposed seaport.
“Will the governor also declare a work free day and direct civil servants to attend the campaign events and rallies of presidential candidates of other political parties?”, he asked.
He recalled that former Governor Godswill Akpabio, his successor, Udom Emmanuel, and the incumbent Governor had all announced presidential approvals for the project during their respective administrations without the seaport becoming a reality.
According to him, former President Goodluck Jonathan approved the establishment of the seaport during Akpabio’s tenure, while former President Muhammadu Buhari gave a similar approval under the former Governor Emmanuel Udom.
He questioned why Tinubu was announcing another approval for the same project, describing it as a recurring political promise that had yielded no tangible result.
Effiong alleged that successive administrations had appropriated and wasted state resources in the name of the proposed seaport, insisting that the people of Akwa Ibom were tired of repeated deception.
He further faulted Governor Eno for allegedly shutting down government activities and directing public servants to participate in Tinubu’s visit, which he said was primarily an All Progressives Congress (APC) re-election campaign event rather than an official state function.
The activist questioned the constitutionality of using state institutions and public resources to mobilise support for a partisan political activity.
He also challenged the governor to explain whether he would extend similar treatment to presidential candidates of opposition parties by declaring work-free days and directing civil servants to attend their campaign rallies.
Effiong expressed concern over an accident involving a vehicle conveying women to the airport to welcome Tinubu, which he said reportedly resulted in a loss of life.
He condemned what he described as the politicisation of government activities and insisted that Akwa Ibom residents should not be compelled to participate in partisan political events.
The activist also criticised the Tinubu administration, accusing it of implementing policies that had brought hardship and suffering to Nigerians, adding that Akwa Ibom was not insulated from the effects of the Federal Government’s policies.
He warned that citizens would continue to challenge the deceit and arrogance of political leaders.
“Akwa Ibom people are not slaves, and we will never allow the deceit and arrogance of failed politicians to go unchallenged”, Effiong warned.
