Shettima Lists Tinubu’s Projects in South-East, Seeks 2027 Re-election Support

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the people of Ebonyi State and other residents of the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing federal investments in roads, security, agriculture and economic development across the region.

Shettima made the appeal on Monday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, where he highlighted projects and government interventions he said were transforming the South-East’s economic fortunes.

He maintained that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated its commitment to the region through infrastructure development, federal appointments, agricultural support programmes and initiatives aimed at improving security.

According to the Vice President, the administration’s investments are designed to strengthen regional connectivity, improve food production, attract investments and create economic opportunities for residents.

Listing major infrastructure projects, Shettima identified the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway as a strategic route expected to improve trade between the South-East, North-Central and other parts of the country.

He also mentioned the Ndibe Bridge, which is expected to connect Ebonyi with Cross River State, as well as ongoing construction work on the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Expressway and the Okposi-Ohaozara-Ukawu-Cross River road.

He said the projects would facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and manufactured goods while reducing transportation costs and logistical difficulties for businesses.

On agriculture, the Vice President described Ebonyi as an important contributor to Nigeria’s food security, particularly in rice and cassava production.

He said the Federal Government was supporting farmers through fertiliser distribution, interest-free FarmerMoni assistance and other agricultural programmes, adding that improved rural road networks would enable farmers to access markets and increase their earnings.

Shettima also disclosed that thousands of residents in Ebonyi had benefited from grants under the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, while federal employment and digital skills initiatives were creating opportunities for young people.

Addressing security concerns, he said the Tinubu administration had intensified efforts to restore stability in the South-East, stressing that economic development could not thrive without the protection of lives, businesses and critical infrastructure.

He cited the establishment and commencement of operations at the Nigerian Army Recruits Training Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, as part of the Federal Government’s security interventions in the region.

The Vice President further identified the establishment of the South East Development Commission, the launch of South-East Vision 2050 and the approval of the South East Investment Company as measures designed to accelerate regional development and attract private investment.

He urged the people to renew their support for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, arguing that the administration had laid the foundation for sustained economic progress.

Shettima described democracy as a responsibility that governments must repay through service, saying the administration had responded to the support received from Ebonyi with projects and development interventions.

Commending Governor Francis Nwifuru, the Vice President said improved federal allocations had strengthened the capacity of state governments to execute development projects and provide essential services.

Earlier, Nwifuru reaffirmed Ebonyi’s support for Tinubu, saying the state had benefited from the President’s economic reforms and special interventions in road infrastructure.

The governor, however, appealed to the Federal Government to provide a 330kV electricity transmission line to improve power supply and support industrial development in the state.

He pledged that Ebonyi would deliver 80 per cent of its votes to Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Also speaking, Minister of Works, David Umahi, commended the President for what he described as unprecedented federal investments in road infrastructure across Ebonyi and other parts of the South-East.

Umahi said the projects involved hundreds of kilometres of highways and billions of naira in federal funding.

He urged residents to sustain their support for the Tinubu administration, expressing confidence that Ebonyi would deliver 1.3 million votes to the President in the forthcoming election.

Former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, also commended the administration’s economic reforms and infrastructure investments, urging the electorate to support the party in 2027.

Meanwhile, Shettima was conferred with the traditional title of Aka Ekpuchi Ọnwa, meaning ‘A Hand Cannot Cover the Moon’, by the traditional ruler of Amagu Autonomous Community in Abakaliki, Eze Fidelis Nwonumara, during a courtesy visit.

The title, according to the traditional rulers, symbolises the enduring nature of truth, integrity and distinguished service.

Responding, the Vice President described the honour as a responsibility to strengthen his relationship with Ebonyi State and promote national unity.

He also recalled the longstanding historical ties between Northern Nigeria and the South-East, particularly in trade, friendship and community relations, saying the country’s diversity should remain a source of strength.

Shettima urged Nigerians to preserve the bonds of friendship across ethnic and regional lines, describing national unity as essential to the country’s progress.