By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has declared that President Bola Tinubu has fulfilled his obligations to Ebonyi State through strategic federal infrastructure investments and development interventions, urging the electorate to reciprocate by renewing his mandate in the 2027 presidential election.
Shettima, who represented Tinubu at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign flag-off in Abakaliki on Monday, said the President had demonstrated commitment to the people of Ebonyi through ongoing road projects, security interventions, educational support, agricultural programmes and economic empowerment initiatives.
Addressing a mammoth crowd of party supporters and stakeholders at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki, the Vice-President said the administration had returned to the state not merely to solicit votes but also to account for its stewardship and seek another opportunity to serve.
He said, “You have assured us that the mandate is a debt of honour, repayable only through service, and yet democracy demands the humility of asking again. We have returned to seek the renewal of your mandate, to serve you, to defend you and to stand by you.”
Listing federal infrastructure projects in the state, Shettima cited the Calabar-Ebonyi-Benue-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway, the proposed bridge linking Ebonyi and Cross River states, and the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Expressway, among other strategic road projects.
He also disclosed that funding had been earmarked for renewable energy projects in eight locations across Ebonyi State to improve electricity supply to homes and businesses.
According to him, the Federal Government has also commenced construction of the Renewed Hope Housing Estate, while supporting students and tertiary institutions through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The Vice-President further highlighted federal interventions in cancer treatment and research, precancer screening and primary healthcare financing across 106 health facilities.
On agriculture, Shettima said the administration was supporting rice and cassava farmers through fertiliser distribution, interest-free financial assistance and other agricultural development programmes.
He added that beneficiaries in Ebonyi had also received grants under the Presidential Conditional Grants Scheme, while federal employment and digital skills initiatives were helping young people acquire relevant competencies and sustainable livelihoods.
On security, the Vice-President maintained that the situation in the South-East had improved since Tinubu assumed office, assuring residents that the Federal Government would sustain efforts to restore peace and stability in the region.
He specifically cited the commencement of operations at the Nigerian Army Recruit Training Depot in Amasiri, Afikpo North Local Government Area, as part of the administration’s security interventions in Ebonyi.
Shettima also identified the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, the launch of the South-East Vision 2050 and approval of the South-East Investment Company as evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region’s long-term development.
Commending Governor Francis Nwifuru for what he described as responsible management of increased federal allocations to states, the Vice-President said Ebonyi had benefited from improved revenue availability under the Tinubu administration.
He also praised the political alignment among the state’s elected representatives, noting that the three senators, seven members of the House of Representatives and members of the State House of Assembly were all in the APC.
Shettima further acknowledged the political support of former Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, describing the development as a significant boost to the party’s political strength in the state.
He urged Ebonyi voters to support Tinubu and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections, expressing confidence that the state would deliver massive votes for the ruling party.
Earlier, Governor Nwifuru reaffirmed Ebonyi’s support for Tinubu’s re-election, describing the President’s economic reforms, social protection programmes, infrastructure investments and institutional reforms as foundations for a stronger Nigerian economy.
The governor said his administration’s support for the President was based on evidence of performance, conviction and gratitude rather than political sentiments.
He particularly commended the Federal Government’s intervention in road infrastructure, noting that poor connectivity had historically constrained the agricultural, commercial and industrial potential of the South-East.
Nwifuru singled out the approximately 788-kilometre Afikpo-Oneke-Ukwachi-Mbeke Ishieke-Benue-Abuja expressway corridor, including a major flyover at Onueke in Ezza South Local Government Area, as a strategic infrastructure investment capable of transforming economic activities across several states.
He also acknowledged the reconstruction of the Obubra-Ovenepa Road and other federal road interventions in the region.
Assessing his administration’s performance since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Nwifuru disclosed that his government had completed more than 1,000 kilometres of roads across the state’s 13 local government areas, apart from the two-kilometre community road projects being implemented across the state.
He said the government had also made substantial investments in healthcare, including the recruitment of medical personnel, provision of modern diagnostic equipment, ambulances and revitalisation of primary and secondary healthcare facilities.
On industrial development, the governor disclosed that work had commenced on the new Abakaliki Cement Company, while efforts to revitalise the state’s power production company and complete the industrial city project at Izembu were progressing.
In education, Nwifuru said his administration had completed 43 school buildings comprising 22-classroom blocks, equipped with modern facilities, offices and libraries.
He further disclosed that 314 beneficiaries of the state’s foreign scholarship programme had completed their master’s degree programmes overseas and were currently pursuing doctoral studies in international universities.
The governor also highlighted the establishment of the University of ICT at Oferekpe and the University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering at Ezza, saying infrastructure development and academic activities were progressing in both institutions.
He added that the government had expanded agricultural investments through the rehabilitation of the Nkaliki hatchery farm and construction of an ultramodern feed mill, while housing projects had been completed in three locations.
However, Nwifuru appealed to Tinubu to urgently address Ebonyi’s electricity challenges, describing the absence of a 330KV transmission line as a major impediment to the state’s industrialisation drive.
He requested federal funding or direct intervention in the proposed transmission project from Ugwuaji in Enugu State to Ebonyi, noting that land had been provided for the project since 2013.
The governor also appealed for the award of the proposed railway corridor linking Abakaliki with Aba, Onitsha and Owerri, arguing that the project would stimulate commerce, transportation and economic integration across the South-East.
Representing APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr Benjamin Nwoye, urged Ebonyi residents to sustain their support for the APC, expressing confidence in the party’s prospects in the 2027 elections.
He also highlighted the establishment of the South-East Development Commission as a significant federal intervention aimed at addressing the region’s developmental challenges.
