Don’t Be Deceived, Vote Massively for Tinubu in 2027, South-East Govs Tell Ndigbo

• Mbah: Ndigbo are strategic people, relationship builders

• Kalu: Igbo leaders not part of one-term presidency arrangement

Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State and Hope Uzodimma of Imo State have urged the people of the South-East to vote massively for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The governors also cautioned voters against what they described as deception and political distractions, urging them to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

They made the call at the APC Women Mega Rally and Empowerment Programme for the South-East, organised by the party’s women mobilisation directorate and flagged off by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at Okpara Square, Enugu, on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, the host governor, Dr Peter Mbah, urged the people of the region to support Tinubu’s re-election bid to enable him to consolidate the gains of his administration’s economic reforms.

He attributed the development projects being executed by state governments, including the construction of primary healthcare centres, to increased financial resources made available through the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

“If I ask what future you want for your children, I’m sure you are seeing that future unfold gradually through the bold and courageous reforms of Mr President.

“It is through those reforms that enough money has been made available to all the states. That is why, in Enugu, when you look around, you will see the Smart Green Schools, Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres and numerous other projects and initiatives we have undertaken in just three years.

“This is happening because of the bold and courageous reforms of Mr President, and we know the job is not finished yet. A good sailor does not abandon his ship mid-sea because of challenges.

“So, we must finish the journey we all started together. We must come out on January 16 with our PVCs and ensure that the good work Mr President is doing continues.

“Don’t listen to any voice telling us something different. We, the Igbos, have gone to communities outside our zone to build businesses, and we also know how to build relationships. That is being put to the test. We are not a people that are ethnic bigots. We are a people that are strategic.

“That is why we must all come out in our numbers and support Mr President to continue the good work. Support all our APC candidates to ensure that they are returned in January and February,” Mbah said.

Speaking on the empowerment programme targeting 5,000 women across the South-East, Mbah said the initiative followed the First Lady’s empowerment of more than 2,000 women in Enugu within 48 hours, including assistance with hospital bills.

“When you empower a woman, you strengthen the family. When you empower a woman, you build a strong community,” he said.

Uzodimma: South-East Experiencing New Era of Inclusion

Also speaking, Governor Uzodimma reiterated the region’s commitment to supporting Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

He said the Igbo had experienced marginalisation for more than 60 years but were beginning to witness a new era of political inclusion and development under Tinubu’s administration.

Uzodimma commended the President for expanding infrastructure development and economic opportunities in the South-East.

“We are now seeing good roads, electricity, health reforms as well as educational reforms in the country. A winning team must not be changed,” he said.

The governor urged voters to sustain the current development trajectory, noting that the Federal Government’s economic reforms had increased the resources available to states for infrastructure and other development projects.

“We have more money to build Okigwe to Owerri, Umuahia to Owerri, Orlu to Owerri and Owerri to Port Harcourt roads,” he said.

Uzodimma added that the improved financial position of Imo State had enabled his administration to pay salaries and pensions consistently, including 13th-month salaries for workers.

Nwifuru Declares Support for Tinubu’s Re-election

Governor Nwifuru said the primary political objective for Ndigbo in the 2027 elections should be the re-election of President Tinubu.

He described the APC as the only political party with a clear and identifiable manifesto capable of sustaining Nigeria’s development and advancing the interests of the Igbo.

Nwifuru dismissed suggestions that he was involved in any political coalition, insisting that his loyalty remained with the APC.

He urged his supporters to vote for APC candidates at all levels in the 2027 general elections.

Soludo Backs Continued Collaboration with FG

Similarly, Governor Soludo, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Gilbert Ibezim, said the South-East had a responsibility to support Tinubu’s re-election in recognition of his administration’s achievements.

He added that the region stood to benefit more from continued collaboration with the Federal Government.

Kalu Calls for Political Inclusion

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, also urged the Igbo to embrace greater political inclusion by supporting Tinubu’s re-election.

Kalu said the Igbo had not produced a Nigerian president in the past 60 years and were therefore not bound by any one-term arrangement for an Igbo presidency proposed by anyone.

He, however, stressed the need for the Igbo to strengthen political alliances across the country to realise the ambition of producing a president who could serve two terms in the near future.

Kalu recalled that Tinubu maintained cordial relations with the Igbo while serving as governor of Lagos State and included members of the community in his cabinet.

He also commended the Tinubu administration for establishing the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), describing it as a significant step towards addressing the region’s developmental challenges.

First Lady Says Nigeria Is Moving Towards Prosperity

Addressing the rally, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill message and urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by the economic challenges associated with his administration’s reforms.

She expressed confidence that the country was moving towards prosperity, comparing the reform process to childbirth, which involves pain before delivery.

“Mr President said I should greet everyone. We have done reforms and we are now in prosperity. Don’t allow anyone to deceive you. The worst is over. We are stepping into prosperity,” she said.

The First Lady described the empowerment initiative as evidence of the APC government’s commitment to translating its promises into practical interventions.

She said the party was combining political mobilisation with economic support to improve the lives of Nigerians.

Oluremi Tinubu urged women to mobilise support for the President and APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

She also encouraged them to hold political aspirants accountable for their records of empowerment and development interventions.

Dignitaries Attend Rally

Other dignitaries at the rally included the wife of the Vice-President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; wife of the Senate President, Mrs Uloma Akpabio; wives of South-East governors; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Udeh (SAN); and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

Also present were the APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr Ben Nwoye; the party’s National Women Leader and Director-General of the Women Wing of the Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Mary Alile-Idele; the South-East Zonal Women Leader of the APC, Dr Oby Ajih; members of the National and State Assemblies; local government chairmen; and other party stakeholders.

The rally, organised by the Remi Tinubu-led Women Mobilisation Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, began in the South-East and is scheduled to hold across the country’s remaining five geopolitical zones.