Vice-President Kashim Shettima has highlighted Federal Government infrastructure, agricultural and security interventions in Ebonyi State, urging residents to renew President Bola Tinubu’s mandate in the 2027 general election.
Shettima spoke on Monday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, where he said the administration’s interventions were designed to improve connectivity, strengthen food security, expand economic opportunities and restore security.
He said Ebonyi had benefited from major infrastructure projects, federal appointments and welfare programmes under Tinubu’s administration.
“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.
Among the projects listed by the Vice-President were the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, the Ndibe Bridge linking Ebonyi with Cross River State, the Enugu–Abakaliki–Ogoja Expressway and the Okposi–Ohaozara–Ukawu–Cross River road.
He said the projects would improve transportation, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and manufactured goods, expand market access and reduce business costs.
On agriculture, Shettima described Ebonyi as an important contributor to Nigeria’s food security, particularly through rice and cassava production. He listed fertiliser distribution, interest-free FarmerMoni assistance and rural road investments as measures supporting farmers.
He also said thousands of residents had benefited from grants under the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, while federal employment and digital skills programmes were creating opportunities for young people.
Addressing security, Shettima said the government had intensified efforts to restore stability in the South-East. He cited the establishment and commencement of operations at the Nigerian Army Recruits Training Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, as part of the intervention.
He also highlighted 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 initiatives aimed at attracting investment and accelerating regional development.
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APC leaders set vote targets
Meanwhile, Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, challenged party members in Ebonyi to secure at least 1.2 million votes for Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
Yari said the target was based on figures provided by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who had indicated that the state had about 1.8 million registered voters, with 1.5 million permanent voter cards collected.
Umahi subsequently raised the target to 1.3 million votes, assuring the President that Ebonyi would deliver the figure.
He also credited Tinubu with reviving the 65-kilometre Afikpo–Uturu–Okigwe road project, valued at ₦193 billion, saying construction was 40 per cent complete.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, warned that ongoing Federal Government projects could be discontinued if Tinubu failed to secure re-election.
He urged residents to obtain their permanent voter cards and vote for the APC, arguing that the continuation of the projects depended on the President’s return to office.
Campaign mobilisation director, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, also criticised former Rivers State Governor and ADC vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, describing him as a serial loser and recalling his legal challenge to Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the PDP presidential candidate.
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, said his support for Tinubu was based on performance, evidence and gratitude rather than political sentiments.
However, he appealed to the President to address the state’s electricity infrastructure deficit, noting that Ebonyi was the only state without a 330kV transmission line.
Nwifuru asked the Federal Government to provide funds for the project or take over its installation, saying the absence of the facility had hindered the state’s industrialisation drive.
Representing the APC National Chairman, the party’s National Vice-Chairman for the South-East, Ben Nwoye, urged members to vote for the APC in the January 16 and February 6 elections.
