Governors across the South-East region of Nigeria have charged constituents to dismiss political distractions and throw their weight behind President Bola Tinubu for the upcoming 2027 presidential polls. This appeal was issued on Saturday at Okpara Square in Enugu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Mega Rally and Empowerment Programme.
Who made the call and where did it happen?
The appeal came from Prof. Charles Soludo of Anambra State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Dr. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and Sen. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State during the grand gathering in Enugu, where thousands of women received empowerment tools and financial aid.
Addressing the crowd, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah urged the Igbo populace to back President Tinubu's continuation in office to ensure the full realization of ongoing federal economic policies. Mbah likened governance to navigating a ship, stating that citizens should not abandon leadership mid- voyage due to temporary hurdles. He noted that the federal administration's economic restructuring has directly funded critical local interventions, including the establishment of primary healthcare facilities. The empowerment scheme itself distributed cash grants, medical bill support, and vocational equipment to 5,000 women across the geopolitical zone, building upon a prior initiative that reached over 2,000 women in Enugu.
What did other leaders say about regional inclusion?
Echoing similar sentiments, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma remarked that the South-East had historically faced marginalization spanning over six decades but was presently experiencing a paradigm shift toward political integration under the current federal government. Uzodimma pointed to rehabilitated federal highways—such as the Okigwe-Owerri and Umuahia-Owerri corridors—as tangible dividends of improved financial disbursements to state governments, which have equally boosted local capacity for timely salary and pension disbursements.
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru endorsed the APC platform as the sole political vehicle with a transparent framework for national progress, distancing himself from rumors regarding alternative political coalitions. Representing Anambra State, Deputy Governor Dr. Gilbert Ibezim emphasized that strategic alignment with the central government remains vital for the region's socio-economic advancement.
Furthermore, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu urged South-Easterners to solidify their political partnerships nationwide. Kalu praised President Tinubu for historical ties with the Igbo community dating back to his tenure as governor of Lagos State, and lauded the establishment of the South East Development Commission as a monumental milestone for regional development.