Tinubu to open Akwa Ibom projects and attend Rivers rally ahead of 2027 election

President Tinubu’s two‑state visit

On Friday 5 November 2026, President Bola Tinubu began a one‑day working visit to Akwa Ibom state, where he was scheduled to commission several infrastructure projects completed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration. The next day he was to travel to Port Harcourt, Rivers state, to attend an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally. Bayo Onanuga, serving as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, disclosed the itinerary for the head of state's trip and detailed the infrastructure developments scheduled for opening. The list of developments features the newly constructed International Terminal Building, the hospital facility at the airport, and the Ibom Aviation Village located at Victor Attah International Airport, alongside the Airport-Okopedi Road serving the Nsit Atai and Okobo local government areas, and Ring Road 3, which links Idoro Road with Ikot Ekpene Road via Uyo and Ibiono Ibom. Additional infrastructure set to be officially opened includes the AKWA-GIS Office Complex, the Command and Control Centre, and the ARISE Palm Resort. Governor Umo Eno declared Friday a work‑free day to allow residents to welcome the President.

Background

Governor Umo Eno, elected in 2023 on a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, defected to the ruling APC in June 2025. According to Onanuga, the initiative aims to synchronize the state's operations with federal policies while enhancing the region's ability to secure national government assistance. Governor Eno has openly supported President Tinubu's campaign for a second term, and the upcoming gathering in Uyo represents a strengthening political partnership between the two figures in preparation for the 2027 national polls. Tinubu’s participation in the rallies follows his earlier statement at the APC Presidential Campaign Council inauguration in Abuja on 14 October, where he said he would not attend every campaign event due to his responsibilities as head of government and the need to attract investors.

Why it matters

The inauguration of the airport terminal, aviation village and other projects is significant for Akwa Ibom’s transport and tourism infrastructure, potentially boosting economic activity in the region. The visit also serves as a political statement, reinforcing the partnership between the state government and the federal administration ahead of the upcoming elections. Security concerns prompted the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to ban drones, fireworks and other devices that could cause panic during the President’s visit. To guarantee an unobstructed route for the presidential motorcade, Police Commissioner Baba Azare declared that significant thoroughfares, such as Airport Road, Iron Road, and Ring Road III, would be subject to traffic controls. He urged residents to avoid the designated routes and appealed to other political parties to reschedule activities planned for Friday to prevent disorder.

What happens next

The President is expected to complete the commissioning of the listed projects on Friday and then travel to Rivers state on Saturday for the APC rally. No further dates or decisions were announced in the sources. The police remain prepared to respond to any security threat during the visit.