The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted claims by opposition figures that the Federal Government’s $1 billion investment in the Lagos Deep Sea Port amounts to economic sabotage against other port cities like Warri, Calabar, Onne, and Port Harcourt.
APC’s spokesman in Lagos, Hon. Seye Oladejo, dismissed the statement as “another display of ignorance,” arguing that critics have failed to grasp the broader economic strategy behind the investment.
“You can’t call what you don’t understand sabotage,” Oladejo said, describing the opposition’s comments as “comic relief” and a reflection of “chronic ignorance of basic economics and governance.”
According to the party, the Lagos Deep Sea Port is not a Lagos-only initiative but part of a nationwide port modernization plan under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The investment, backed by China Harbour Engineering Company and Singapore’s Tolaram Group, is expected to make Nigeria the leading maritime hub in West Africa.
Oladejo said the administration is simultaneously working on other port facilities, including: The modernization and digitalization of Onne Port , Dredging of Calabar Port to allow larger vessels , Rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Port complex under a new concession framework and Expansion of the Warri Port corridor with new rail link integration
“The $1 billion Lagos Port investment is about job creation, export growth, and improving efficiency at Nigerian ports,” Oladejo said. “It’s progress that threatens those who mistake political noise for policy thinking.”
He also criticized opposition leader Peter Obi, urging him to conduct proper research before commenting on national issues. “Nigeria deserves leaders who think before they speak, not those who confuse populist soundbites for policy discourse,” he said.
The APC maintained that the Renewed Hope economic blueprint covers multiple regions, citing ongoing works at Bonny, Ibom, Warri, and Calabar ports as proof of balanced development. Lagos, it argued, only appears to be ahead because of better execution and leadership continuity.
“The only sabotage here,” Oladejo added, “is the opposition’s attempt to weaponize regional sentiment against national progress. Governance is driven by strategy, not sentiment.”
He reaffirmed that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to building a functional, modern, and competitive Nigerian economy “one port, one project, and one policy at a time.”
