2027: Onuigbo cites Tinubu’s reforms, infrastructure as basis for re-election

Former lawmaker Sam Onuigbo says President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, infrastructure projects and political inclusion provide a basis for his re-election in 2027.

Onuigbo said this at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, where he assessed the administration’s performance since assuming office in 2023.

He said Tinubu inherited a difficult economic situation, citing N23.7 trillion in Ways and Means obligations and more than 7.5 billion dollars owed foreign airlines.

Onuigbo said the removal of fuel subsidy was a “bold and courageous” decision, although he acknowledged the hardship it caused Nigerians.

He said the reforms were yielding results, citing GDP growth of 4.43 per cent, compared with about 2.74 per cent in 2023.

According to him, services now account for more than 56 per cent of GDP, while oil contributes about four per cent.

He also claimed that Nigeria attracted more than 20 billion dollars in foreign direct investment in 2026, with cumulative inflows exceeding 50 billion dollars since 2023.

Onuigbo identified the establishment of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) as another major achievement of the administration.

He said the commission would support reconstruction and development in the region, adding that he participated in efforts to establish it during the eighth and ninth National Assemblies.

He also cited the Enugu-Port Harcourt and Enugu-Onitsha roads, Second Niger Bridge, expansion of Enugu airport and development of an airport in Abia.

Onuigbo said appointments of senior military officers from the Southeast also demonstrated greater political inclusion under Tinubu.

He said the administration’s economic policies would benefit Nigerians, including the Igbo, who were actively engaged in businesses across the country.

Onuigbo commended regional development commissions, especially the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), for rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by insurgency.

“I can speak about the North-East Development Commission, and when I say they’ve done a fantastic job, it’s not because I was involved at all.
“No. It’s because you see what they’ve been able to do,” he said.

The former lawmaker also urged state governments to ensure that increased Federation Account allocations translated into better services at the grassroots.

He said local governments were closest to the people and could contribute to addressing insecurity because of their knowledge of local communities.

Onuigbo identified the student loan scheme as one of the administration’s major policies, saying about one million students had benefited from it.

“It has nothing to do with trader money. This one is actual,” he said.

He also said the administration was implementing the Climate Change Act and promoting green industrialisation through investments in areas such as jute processing.

On security, Onuigbo said Nigeria was making progress against insecurity but needed to sustain the momentum.

“People go to work on Mondays, people go to the market on Mondays in different states in the Southeast. That wasn’t the case before,” he said.

He expressed confidence that APC-controlled states would support Tinubu’s re-election, urging Nigerians to assess the administration based on concrete achievements.

He said the combination of economic reforms, infrastructure development, education and political inclusion would strengthen support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.