Former Rivers State Governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of taking oil wells belonging to Cross River State while serving as governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Amaechi made the allegation during a political town hall meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, where he engaged residents ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former Minister of Transportation said his criticism of Akpabio stemmed from the disputed oil assets rather than political differences with the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“I am not calling Akpabio out because he is in the APC. I am calling him out because he knows that I know what he did. Tell him Amaechi says Akpabio knows what he did,” he said.
Amaechi urged Cross River residents to demand an explanation from Akpabio over the transfer of the disputed offshore oil assets to Akwa Ibom State.
He further alleged that Akpabio attempted to claim oil wells belonging to Rivers State during his tenure as governor but said Rivers successfully challenged the move in court.
The former governor also addressed questions surrounding the coastal railway project during his tenure as transportation minister, explaining why the federal government did not extend the rail network to Calabar.
According to Amaechi, his administration developed an initial framework for an $11bn coastal railway line connecting Lagos to Calabar, with an additional spur to the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State.
However, he said funding shortages stalled the project and prevented its implementation.
Amaechi also questioned the economic priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, raising concerns about the financial feasibility of its ongoing $16bn coastal highway project.
He challenged the government’s infrastructure spending priorities, drawing comparisons between the highway project and other transport infrastructure needs.
