2027: Tinubu’s projects’ll transform South-East economy – Shettima

*Yari demands 1.2m votes from Ebonyi; Umahi promises 1.3m *‘If Tinubu isn’t re-elected, ongoing projects’ll stop’ — Uzodimma *APC has built Nigeria for benefit of few — Makinde *PRP accuses APC of suffocating opposition, exploiting religious fault lines By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Omeiza Ajayi, Ndahi Marama & Luminous Jannamike Vice President Kashim Shettima has said President Bola Tinubu’s massive investments in security, infrastructure, agriculture and human capital development are transforming the South-East economy, promising to address the region’s longstanding development challenges.

Shettima, who spoke yesterday at the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, said the Federal Government’s interventions were aimed at improving connectivity, strengthening food security, expanding economic opportunities and restoring security. He said the administration had demonstrated its commitment to Ebonyi through major infrastructure projects, federal appointments and welfare programmes.

“This campaign has been a season of triumph. We have triumphed over the falsehoods of our opponents. We have never turned our backs on you. We have answered your support with projects, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured Ebonyi through distinguished appointments and projects across the state,” he said. According to him, Ebonyi has benefited from the dividends of democracy and deserves to renew the President’s mandate.

“You have stood by us. You have assured us that a mandate is a debt of honour, repayable only through service. Yet democracy demands the humility of asking again. We have returned to seek the renewal of your mandate, to serve you, defend you and stand by you,” he added. Listing the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects, Shettima identified the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, part of the administration’s Trans-Saharan highway vision, as a major initiative to strengthen trade between the South-East, North-Central and other regions.

Others are the Ndibe Bridge, which will link Ebonyi with Cross River State; the Enugu–Abakaliki–Ogoja Expressway; and the Okposi–Ohaozara–Ukawu–Cross River road. He said the projects would ease the transportation of agricultural produce and manufactured goods, improve market access and reduce business costs. On agriculture, the Vice President described Ebonyi as a major contributor to national food security through rice and cassava production.

He listed fertiliser distribution, interest-free FarmerMoni assistance and rural road investments among measures to support farmers. He also disclosed that thousands of Ebonyi residents had benefited from grants under the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, while federal employment and digital skills programmes were creating opportunities for youths.

On security, Shettima said the administration had intensified efforts to restore stability in the South-East, stressing that economic development depended on the safety of communities, businesses and infrastructure. He cited the establishment and commencement of operations at the Nigerian Army Recruits Training Depot at Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, as part of the intervention.

“The security of the South-East has changed since President Tinubu became Commander-in-Chief over three years ago. We have worked to restore order, and we will keep working,” he said. He also highlighted the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, the launch of South-East Vision 2050 and approval of the South-East Investment Company as initiatives to attract investments and accelerate regional development.

Commending Governor Francis Nwifuru, Shettima said improved federal allocations had strengthened states’ capacity to provide infrastructure and essential services. Yari, Umahi demand 1.3m votes Meanwhile, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, challenged Ebonyi APC members to deliver at least 1.2 million votes for Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

Yari, who said he obtained the figures from the Minister of Works, David Umahi, noted that Ebonyi had about 1.8 million registered voters, with 1.5 million PVCs collected. “On behalf of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am setting my target. My target is a minimum of 1.2 million votes,” he declared. Umahi, however, raised the target to 1.3 million votes, assuring the President that Ebonyi would deliver the figure.

“We are showing the whole world that Ebonyi State belongs to the APC. We all know there is no NDC or any other party in Ebonyi State,” he said. He credited Tinubu with reviving the 65-kilometre Afikpo–Uturu–Okigwe road project, valued at N193 billion, saying it was already 40 per cent completed. ‘Ongoing projects’ll stop without Tinubu’ Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, warned that ongoing Federal Government projects could be abandoned if Tinubu failed to secure re-election.

“Our responsibility will start from now to go a