Onuigbo Makes Case for Tinubu’s Re-election, Mobilises Abia Stakeholders Ahead of 2027

Former member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Sir Sam Onuigbo, has called for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, insisting that the administration’s economic reforms and development initiatives require continuity, consolidation and completion to deliver their expected benefits to Nigerians.

Onuigbo made the call in Umuahia, Abia State, on Monday, November 2, 2026, while addressing members and stakeholders of the Strategic Mobilisation Network for Tinubu Continuity 2027, SMN-TC2027, at an interactive session.

Speaking on the theme, “The Case for Continuity, Consolidation and Prosperity,” Onuigbo, who is President of GLOBE Legislators and Patron of the mobilisation network, said Nigeria should not abandon the progress he believed had been recorded under the Tinubu administration, particularly in the areas of economic reforms, infrastructure, education, energy and government revenue.

He recalled that President Tinubu inherited an economy confronted by high inflation, dwindling government revenue, foreign exchange difficulties, an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime and mounting debt obligations when he assumed office in May 2023.

While acknowledging that the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of the foreign exchange market initially imposed significant hardship on Nigerians through increased transportation costs, food prices and pressure on household incomes, Onuigbo argued that the decisions were necessary to address longstanding structural weaknesses in the economy.

Citing economic indicators, he said headline inflation, which rose to about 36.4 per cent at some point, had declined to 14.63 per cent as of September 2026.

He also noted that Nigeria’s economy grew by 3.87 per cent in 2025, compared with 3.38 per cent in 2024, while growth improved to 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, against 3.89 per cent in the first quarter.

The former lawmaker further highlighted the growth in the country’s foreign reserves, which he said had risen to approximately 55 billion dollars in October 2026, describing it as an important development for strengthening investor confidence and the country’s capacity to meet international obligations.

Onuigbo also cited developments in the petroleum sector, particularly increased crude oil production and the emergence of the Dangote Refinery, which he said had expanded Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity and created opportunities for job creation, foreign exchange conservation and reduced dependence on imported petroleum products.

He identified the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, as another major intervention deserving of continuity, noting that more than 1.64 million students had benefited from over N372.62 billion in student loans, with more than 320 institutions participating in the scheme.

Other initiatives highlighted included the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Compressed Natural Gas programme, electric vehicle initiative and credit schemes designed to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.

However, Onuigbo acknowledged that food affordability, unemployment and insecurity remained major national concerns, stressing that the government must intensify efforts to ensure that economic growth translates into improved living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.

He maintained that supporting continuity did not mean claiming that everything was perfect, but rather sustaining policies that were producing results, correcting existing weaknesses and completing ongoing projects.

On the responsibility of the mobilisation network, Onuigbo urged members to take the Tinubu re-election campaign beyond political meetings and social media platforms to markets, schools, workplaces, religious institutions and communities.

He advised members to engage Nigerians respectfully, acknowledge their economic difficulties and communicate government policies with verifiable facts rather than insults or exaggerated claims.

According to him, the network must build an organised, disciplined and accountable grassroots structure capable of measuring its reach and translating public engagement into electoral support.

He identified the network’s guiding principles as continuity, consolidation, completion and prosperity, urging members to take ownership of the mobilisation exercise ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In his remarks, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees representing Abia Central, Chief Tony Ezebiro, pledged the cooperation of PDP structures in the state towards securing victory for President Tinubu.

Ezebiro said the support was consistent with the political direction agreed upon at the national level, arguing that the Tinubu administration had accommodated members of different political parties.

He urged Onuigbo to feel free to engage PDP structures in Abia State on matters concerning the President’s re-election, promising that party members would participate in the mobilisation exercise and assist in distributing campaign materials.

Ezebiro expressed optimism that the emerging political understanding among different parties could improve Tinubu’s electoral fortunes in Abia, while urging stakeholders to work towards securing substantial votes for the President.

Also speaking, an APC stalwart in Abia State, Lady Odochi Odo, charged members of the mobilisation network to take the message of the administration’s achievements to their respective communities.

She urged them to study the records of government interventions and educate residents, particularly students, about programmes such as NELFUND, which she observed many beneficiaries had not adequately publicised in their communities.

Odo said the responsibility of securing another mandate for Tinubu should not be left to APC members alone but should involve engaging people across political and social divides.

Meanwhile, a beneficiary of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, Mr Benhur Anyaocha, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for introducing the student loan scheme and monthly allowances.

Anyaocha said the intervention had reduced protests in tertiary institutions and enabled students to concentrate more on their studies without the persistent anxiety associated with tuition payments.

Other stakeholders, including persons with disabilities and widows, also commended the Federal Government for empowerment initiatives which they said had positively affected their livelihoods.

In a related development, Onuigbo received an Award of Appreciation from the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, South-East Zone F, in recognition of his contributions to student development and mentorship.

Presenting the award, a representative of the students described Onuigbo as a dependable supporter of the student community whose interventions had helped student leaders attain leadership positions and created opportunities for young people.

The representative particularly recalled his role in restoring courses previously removed from the College of Management Sciences at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, saying his intervention had helped restore academic opportunities for prospective students.

Responding, an appreciative Onuigbo described the recognition as a November surprise, saying he was unaware that the students had planned such a presentation.

He attributed his interventions in the education sector to a commitment to student welfare and recalled that it took him eight years of sustained efforts, including moving a motion on the floor of the House of Representatives, to secure the restoration of the affected academic programmes.

He described the honour as a genuine award earned through service rather than one purchased, adding that the recognition would motivate him to do more for students whenever the opportunity arose.

The former lawmaker also advised the students to take their academic pursuits seriously, obtain their certificates and prepare themselves for meaningful contributions to society, rather than allowing student union activities to distract them from their studies.

He thanked the students for recognising his contributions and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting their development.

Dailytrailnews reports that the interactive session formed part of efforts by the Strategic Mobilisation Network for Tinubu Continuity 2027 to build a broad-based grassroots mobilisation structure in Abia State ahead of the 2027 general elections.