$7bn seaport deal: Ogun youths endorse Tinubu, APC candidates

President Bola Tinubu Photo: State House

Youths under the Ogun Waterside Progressive Caucus have endorsed President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing the proposed $7bn Gateway Deep Sea Port project and other development initiatives.

The group said the projects, including oil exploration activities, the ongoing coastal road and an electrification project worth more than N1bn, would transform Ogun Waterside Local Government Area and create economic opportunities for residents.

The caucus disclosed this in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday and signed by its convener, Olawale Balogun, after a sensitisation walk to mobilise grassroots support for APC candidates.

Balogun stated that the area’s development prospects under the APC administration should encourage residents to vote for the party.

He stated, “With the way our local government is positioned under President Tinubu’s administration, we will soon become the most important local government in Nigeria.

“We must express our profound gratitude through our votes. This is not about party; it is about liberation, progress, and the development of Ogun Waterside Local Government.”

He pledged that the group would mobilise 12,000 votes for President Bola Tinubu; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is seeking election to the Senate representing Ogun East; House of Representatives candidate Joseph Adegbesan; state House of Assembly member Samsideen Lawal; and Senator Solomon Adeola as governor.

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“We will go all out to ensure that we contribute quality votes to all APC candidates,” Balogun said.

He noted that the sensitisation walk, themed “Empowering the Youth, Mobilising the Grassroots: For a Stronger and United Ogun Waterside with APC,” began at Iwopin Ward, proceeded to Imakun-Irokun and ended at the Ogun Waterside Local Government Secretariat in Abigi.

Balogun also noted that as part of efforts to contribute to the LG’s development, the group distributed N2m to 100 beneficiaries, giving each person N20,000.

The Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor, Olamide Lawal, commended the youths for the initiative and urged them to sustain their mobilisation efforts.

He also appealed to the party leadership to support young members beyond the elections, urging it not to abandon them after the polls.

The PUNCH reported in September that the Ogun State Government and DP World MEA FZE signed Memoranda of Understanding for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone, with the projects expected to attract more than $7bn in initial investment and create over 50,000 direct jobs.

President Bola Tinubu witnessed the signing in Paris, France, alongside the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho.