TD The South East Patriots (SEP) has warmly commended the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, for including the revival and development of the Eastern maritime port corridor among his 12-point policy commitments for the 2027 presidential election.
SEP particularly welcomed Atiku’s pledge to restore the operational capacity and competitiveness of the ports in Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Warri, while advancing the development of the Uyo Deep Sea Port.
SEP Advocates for Eastern Ports
SEP, it could be recalled, was registered as a support group on 10 March 2026.
Ever since, it has consistently championed the reopening, modernization, and effective utilization of the old Southern and Eastern ports.
Its first proposal submitted to the ADC campaign was titled “Decongestion of Nigerian Ports”, which emphasized:
- Revitalising Eastern ports including Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri, and Calabar.
- Reducing pressure on Lagos ports.
- Creating new commercial corridors across the federation.
- Expanding employment opportunities in trade and logistics.
SEP noted that Nigeria’s current maritime structure is dangerously over-centralised in Lagos.
That, it noted, has imposed enormous economic, infrastructural, and environmental costs on the country.
Why Eastern Ports Matter
Reviving the Eastern maritime corridor will:
- Decongest Lagos and ease traffic bottlenecks.
- Reduce transportation costs for goods across the country.
- Stimulate regional commerce and attract new investments.
- Create thousands of jobs in logistics, shipping, and trade.
- Correct structural imbalance by allowing businesses to use ports closest to their markets instead of transporting goods across long distances.
Call for Federal Government Action
SEP stressed that the Federal Government must go beyond policy declarations and take concrete steps to develop the ports in the old Southern and Eastern maritime corridor.
This includes:
- Providing adequate security within Nigeria’s territorial waters and adjoining international shipping routes.
- Regular dredging and maintenance of channels.
- Developing inland waterways along the River Niger through Lokoja and the River Benue towards Makurdi.
Such measures would open new commercial corridors, connect inland communities to maritime trade, and stimulate businesses across affected regions.
SEP Commends Atiku Abubakar
SEP expressed satisfaction that Atiku Abubakar has listened to this demand and elevated it into a clear presidential policy commitment.
“This demonstrates responsiveness to the concerns of businesses, traders, transporters and communities that have suffered from the neglect and underutilisation of these ports,” SEP stated.
Call to Other Presidential Candidates
SEP urged every other presidential candidate and political party seeking Nigerians’ mandate in 2027 to state openly and unambiguously their position on:
- Reopening, rehabilitating, and fully utilising the ports in Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri, and Calabar.
- Developing the Uyo Deep Sea Port.
SEP insisted that this issue must become a major subject of the 2027 presidential campaign.
Nigerians deserve to know which candidates are genuinely committed to opening new commercial corridors and expanding employment.
They also need to know who is committed to building an economy that works for every part of the federation, SEP noted.
This statement positions the Eastern maritime corridor as a litmus test for candidates’ seriousness about economic reform and regional equity.
It also signals that port development will be a central theme in the 2027 campaign debates.
