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• Says security situation has improved in region
• as Ebonyi governor pledges 80% votes for Tinubu
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has listed major security and infrastructure interventions by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the South-East, saying the projects are transforming the region’s economic prospects and addressing years of development challenges.
Shettima specifically cited the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, Ndibe Bridge, Enugu–Abakaliki–Ogoja Expressway and the establishment of the Nigerian Army Recruits Training Depot at Amasiri–Edda, Ebonyi State, as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to the region.
He said the administration had also intensified efforts to restore security in the South-East, insisting that the improvement in the security situation was one of the notable developments since Tinubu assumed office.
“The security of the South-East has changed since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu became Commander-in-Chief over three years ago. We have worked to restore order, and we will keep working,” the Vice-President said.
Shettima spoke on Monday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, where he appealed to residents to renew Tinubu’s mandate in the 2027 general election.
He said the administration’s investments in transportation, agriculture, green energy, housing and human capital development were designed to strengthen regional connectivity, improve food security and unlock economic opportunities.
Highlighting the road infrastructure projects, Shettima said the proposed Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, which forms part of the administration’s Trans-Saharan highway vision, would improve trade links between the South-East, North-Central and other parts of the country.
He also identified the Ndibe Bridge, which is expected to connect Ebonyi with Cross River State, and ongoing work on the Enugu–Abakaliki–Ogoja Expressway and Okposi–Ohaozara–Ukawu–Cross River road as critical to opening up communities and facilitating the movement of agricultural produce and manufactured goods.
“Where shall we begin the account of our work? Shall we begin with the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja Superhighway, part of our Trans-Saharan highway vision? Or with the Ndibe Bridge, which will link Ebonyi with Cross River? We are advancing work on the Enugu–Abakaliki–Ogoja Expressway and the Okposi–Ohaozara–Ukawu–Cross River road. Again, I ask: where shall we begin?” he said.
On agriculture, the Vice-President described Ebonyi as a major contributor to Nigeria’s food security through rice and cassava production, saying the Federal Government was supporting farmers with fertiliser distribution, interest-free FarmerMoni assistance and other agricultural programmes.
He said improved rural road networks would also enable farmers to transport produce to markets more efficiently, reduce post-harvest losses and increase earnings.
Shettima further disclosed that thousands of Ebonyi residents had benefited from grants under the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, while federal employment and digital skills initiatives were providing opportunities for young people.
He also highlighted the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, the launch of the South-East Vision 2050 and the approval of the South East Investment Company as institutional interventions aimed at attracting investments and accelerating regional development.
The Vice-President said the initiatives reflected the administration’s recognition that security, economic inclusion and sustainable development were interconnected.
On the political front, Shettima urged Ebonyi residents to support Tinubu’s re-election, describing the renewal of the presidential mandate as a request for an opportunity to continue delivering on the administration’s commitments.
He said public office imposed an obligation on elected leaders to justify the confidence of the electorate through service.
“If any state can speak with confidence about the dividends of democracy, it is Ebonyi. You have stood by us. You have assured us that a mandate is a debt of honour, repayable only through service. 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,” he said.
The Vice-President commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for what he described as responsible management of increased federal allocations, saying the resources had strengthened the state’s capacity to execute development projects.
Nwifuru, in his remarks, reaffirmed Ebonyi’s support for Tinubu, claiming that the state had benefited from the President’s economic reforms and special interventions in road infrastructure.
“Under President Tinubu, the poor roads in our state and zone are now better. We now enjoy special road interventions,” the governor said.
He, however, appealed to the Federal Government to provide a 330kV electricity transmission line to improve power supply and support industrial development in the state.
The governor pledged that Ebonyi would deliver 80 per cent of its votes to Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Also speaking, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, commended Tinubu for federal investments in road infrastructure across the state and urged residents to sustain their support for the administration.
Umahi expressed confidence that Ebonyi would deliver 1.3 million votes to the President in 2027.
Former APC National Chairman, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, also praised the administration’s economic reforms and infrastructure investments, urging the people to support Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Earlier, Shettima was conferred with the traditional title of Aka Ekpuchi Ọnwa, meaning “A Hand Cannot Cover the Moon”, by the Eze Nnodo II of Amagu Autonomous Community in Abakaliki, His Royal Highness, Eze Fidelis Nwonumara, who is also Chairman of the Izzi/Nnodo Traditional Rulers Council.
The title, drawn from an Igbo proverb, symbolises the belief that truth, integrity and distinguished service cannot be concealed.
Expressing appreciation for the honour, Shettima described it as a responsibility to strengthen his relationship with Ebonyi and promote national unity.
He recalled the historical ties between northern and south-eastern communities through trade, friendship and shared social activities, saying Nigeria’s diversity should remain a source of national strength.
“I have travelled from the far North-East to the South-East, yet I stand here among brothers and sisters. Our ancestors understood that friendship could cross rivers, mountains and kingdoms. They knew that a stranger who is received with love soon becomes a member of the household. This is the Nigeria we must preserve,” he said.
