Former House of Representatives member, Chief Sam Onuigbo, has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, citing gains from ongoing economic reforms.
Onuigbo made the call on Monday in Umuahia during an interactive session with members of the Strategic Mobilisation Network for Tinubu Continuity 2027.
He said the administration had recorded progress in critical sectors, arguing that abandoning ongoing reforms could undermine efforts to reposition the economy.
Onuigbo, the group’s Patron and President of Globe Legislators, said the network was established to promote continuity across markets, workplaces, schools and communities nationwide.
He acknowledged that removing fuel subsidies and unifying exchange rates had increased transportation costs and food prices.
However, he described the measures as necessary to eliminate unsustainable economic practices and release resources for national development.
He cited economic growth figures of 3.87 per cent in 2025 and 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026.
He also said foreign reserves had risen from 3.9 billion dollars in 2023 to approximately 55 billion dollars in October 2026.
According to him, improved government revenue and a better debt-service-to-revenue ratio would create additional resources for infrastructure, education and healthcare.
Onuigbo said crude oil production had increased from 1.3 million to 1.73 million barrels daily, while refining capacity had expanded to 700,000 barrels daily.
He attributed the increase in domestic refining largely to the Dangote Refinery, saying it would reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
He added that the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative would provide cheaper transportation through conversion centres and refuelling stations nationwide.
On education, Onuigbo said the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had supported more than 1.64 million students, with N372.62 billion disbursed.
He said the scheme had partnered more than 320 institutions, helping to reduce financial barriers to tertiary education.
The former lawmaker also identified the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway as major infrastructure projects requiring sustained implementation.
He said market women, artisans and small businesses were benefiting from the Credit Corporation of Nigeria and other financing initiatives.
Onuigbo acknowledged persistent challenges involving food security and insecurity but highlighted government investments in agriculture and efforts to strengthen national security.
He also cited the proposed establishment of state police as part of efforts to address insecurity.
He stressed that continuity should mean sustaining reforms, consolidating achievements, completing projects and delivering prosperity rather than merely retaining political power.
The APC chieftain urged network members to engage Nigerians respectfully, listen to their concerns and defend the administration with facts rather than insults.
He said the network’s success would depend on its ability to build relationships and translate public confidence into electoral support.
In his remarks, Chief Tony Ezebiro, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees member representing Abia Central, said PDP and APC had agreed to work together for Tinubu’s re-election.
Ezebiro said the APC-led administration had been kind to PDP members, expressing confidence that the emerging coalition would deliver substantial votes for Tinubu in 2027.
A NELFUND beneficiary, Mr Benhur Anyaocha of Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, thanked Tinubu for introducing the student loan scheme and monthly allowances.
He said the intervention had reduced protests in tertiary institutions and enabled students to concentrate on their studies without worrying about tuition fees.
Other stakeholders, including persons with disabilities and widows, also commended the Federal Government for empowerment programmes they said had improved their livelihoods.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onuigbo received an Award of Appreciation from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-East Zone F.
The award recognised him as Students’ Mentor, NANS South-East.
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