‘…he hasn’t spent one night in Bayelsa state despite 260 days abroad…we will construct the long-delayed Ibaka seaport in Akwa Ibom State’ -Peter Obi
By Larry Daniel
2027 Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, on Friday stormed Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for the grand homecoming ceremony of former Bayelsa State Governor and party National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, where he used the occasion to take a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s neglect of the state and to unveil his economic blueprint for the Niger Delta.
Obi, who travelled from Enugu to Yenagoa on October 30, 2026, to attend the event, told a mammoth crowd of supporters and party faithful that after more than three years in office, President Tinubu has not deemed it fit to spend even one night in Bayelsa State, despite spending over 260 days abroad on foreign trips.
Addressing the crowd during the reception organised in honour of Senator Dickson, Obi said the attitude shows a disconnect between the current administration and the people of the Niger Delta, who contribute significantly to the nation’s wealth.
“I reminded the good people of Bayelsa State that, after more than three years in office, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not considered it appropriate to spend even one night in Bayelsa State, despite spending over 260 days abroad,” Obi said in a post-event press release he personally signed.
He assured the people that such neglect would not happen under his leadership, promising that he would not only visit Bayelsa regularly but would also sleep in the state to hear directly from the people and respond to their concerns.
“I assured our numerous supporters and the people of Bayelsa State that this will not happen under my leadership. I will visit Bayelsa to hear directly from our people and respond to their concerns,” he added.
Obi used the Bayelsa visit to reiterate his commitment to unlocking the economic potential of the Niger Delta through massive port infrastructure development, a key plank of his campaign for the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, his administration would begin deliberate efforts to upgrade and revitalize existing ports throughout the Niger Delta region, including ports in Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar, which have remained underutilized for decades despite their strategic importance.
“We will begin efforts to upgrade ports throughout the Niger Delta, including those in Warri, Port Harcourt, and Calabar,” Obi pledged.
He further announced plans to kickstart the construction of the long-delayed Ibaka Deep Seaport in Akwa Ibom State and to establish a brand new port in Bayelsa State to serve riverine communities and open up the broader Niger Delta for commerce and industrialization.
“We will also begin construction of the long-delayed Ibaka seaport in Akwa Ibom State and establish a new port in Bayelsa State to serve our riverine communities and the broader Niger Delta more effectively,” he said.
The NDC leader noted that the revitalization of the ports would create jobs, reduce pressure on Lagos ports, boost exports and address the economic exclusion felt by people in the oil-producing states.
Obi also reaffirmed his broader national agenda, which he said centres on uniting and securing the country, fighting corruption frontally, making substantial investments in healthcare and education, and lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.
“I reaffirmed our commitment to unite and secure the country, fight corruption, and make substantial investments in healthcare and education while lifting our people out of poverty,” he stated.
The colourful event climaxed with a display of Bayelsa’s rich cultural heritage, as Obi joined Senator Dickson in his hometown of Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area for a traditional canoe war game and boat regatta, which thrilled residents and visitors alike.
The former governor of Anambra State congratulated Senator Dickson on his successful return home and commended the national and state leadership of the party, members and the people of Bayelsa for what he described as good organisation, warm reception and a successful event.
“I congratulate my dear brother, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, on his successful return home. I appreciate our party’s national and state leadership, members as well as the good people of Bayelsa for good organisation, warm reception and successful event,” Obi said.
The Bayelsa homecoming is seen as part of Obi’s ongoing nationwide engagement ahead of the 2027 elections, with the Niger Delta expected to be a major battleground given its economic importance and agitation for greater inclusion in national development.