By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Calabar
The vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has hinted that his party would consider relocating the Calabar and Warri seaports if it wins the 2027 general elections.
Amaechi said the channels leading to both ports were too shallow to accommodate modern vessels, making relocation necessary to improve their capacity to handle larger ships.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, the former minister of transportation said the development of a deep seaport in Cross River must take into account the limitations of the existing Calabar port.
“The Calabar and Warri seaports must be moved from where they are. The new vessels they are building today are about 18 metres,” he said.
Amaechi also alleged that a prominent politician in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had been awarded a $350 million contract to dredge the Calabar seaport channel, but failed to execute the project.
According to him, the contractor was about to be paid when the Nigerian Ports Authority intervened and indicated that the work had not been completed.
The ADC candidate’s remarks came amid discussions about the prospects of establishing a deep seaport in Cross River State, which has long sought to improve its maritime infrastructure and commercial activities.
Amaechi also revisited the controversy surrounding the departure of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, from office, insisting that the Cross River-born jurist resigned rather than being removed.
He alleged that the late President Muhammadu Buhari rejected Onnoghen’s resignation, but the former chief justice maintained his decision to leave office.
Amaechi argued that the president could not unilaterally remove a chief justice, pointing to the role of the National Judicial Council in the appointment and disciplinary process involving judicial officers.
The former Rivers State governor also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that the government should have consulted economists and carefully assessed the policy’s consequences before implementation.
He said the distinction between courage and recklessness was narrow, adding that the government should have developed measures to cushion the impact of the decision on Nigerians.
Amaechi blamed the abrupt subsidy removal for worsening inflation and living conditions, claiming that more than 80,000 Nigerians were being pushed below the poverty line weekly.
He further argued that Nigerians were poorer than when Tinubu assumed office, while rising unemployment was contributing to increased criminal activities.
