2027: Tinubu Deserves Second Term To Consolidate Reforms, Says Onuigbo

                                                 
The President of Globe Legislators International, Rt. Hon. Sir Sam Onuigbo, has called on members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intensify efforts toward the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.

Onuigbo made the call during a stakeholders’ engagement to flag off the campaign for the re-election of President Tinubu, held at his country home, Odozi Obodo Hills, Obuohia Obi-Ibere, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.

He said the presence of the stakeholders at the event demonstrated their collective determination to work for the actualisation of President Tinubu’s second-term bid, urging them to adopt a committed approach to the campaign.

According to him, the stakes are now higher than when many of them joined the APC, particularly in view of what he described as the “bold and courageous reforms” initiated by the Tinubu administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He disclosed that President Tinubu deserves the support of every genuine APC member and, indeed, every Nigerian, because he needed a second term to consolidate the foundation already laid by his administration.

Onuigbo recalled that President Tinubu, as a presidential candidate, campaigned on policies that included ending what he described as the “criminal enterprise” of a parallel exchange rate market, making Nigeria a preferred Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destination in Africa, ending fuel subsidies, diversifying the economy and promoting inclusive governance.

He noted that the President took the decisive step of ending fuel subsidies on 29th May, 2023, the day he was sworn in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, despite criticisms from the opposition.

The former federal lawmaker said the reforms had significantly altered Nigeria’s fiscal and economic landscape, pointing to the increase in Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds distributed to the three tiers of government.

He said: “Federation Account Allocation Committee funds distributed to the three tiers increased from N711 billion in 2023 to N4.5 trillion in 2026.”

According to him, state governors now receive about five times more from FAAC funds than they received during previous administrations, adding that the increased fiscal inflows had contributed to development across local government areas in Abia State and other parts of the country.

Onuigbo also cited developments in the petroleum sector, saying Nigeria’s refining capacity had increased from 30,000 barrels per day in 2023 to over 700,000 barrels per day in 2026.

He added that the country, which was producing about 1.3 million barrels per day in 2023, had increased crude oil production to over 1.73 million barrels per day, exceeding its OPEC quota.

Onuigbo further stated that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had risen from $3.99 billion in 2023 to $51.9 billion in 2026; while more than N300 billion had been invested in the students’ NELFUND scheme.

The APC chieftain disclosed that President Tinubu’s foreign trips had attracted more than $50 billion in foreign direct investment, with $20 billion in 2026 alone.

He attributed the development to the administration’s policy of eliminating the parallel exchange rate market, which, he said, had previously “straitjacketed foreign investors.”

According to him, the resultant stability in the economy and exchange rate had boosted investor confidence and earned President Tinubu global commendation.

On economic growth, Onuigbo said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had risen from 2.74% in 2023 to 3.9% in the first half of 2026, citing the National Bureau of Statistics.

He said the growth was particularly significant because it was driven largely by the non-oil sector, including financial technology, agriculture and solid minerals, describing it as evidence of the success of the administration’s economic diversification policies.

The former member of the House of Representatives also highlighted what he described as President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance in the South East.

He listed the appointment of two service chiefs from the South East noting that the first under the present administration was Vice Admiral Ogalla, while the current service chief is Air Vice Marshal Aneke.

Onuigbo also cited the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which he said was chaired and staffed by people from the South East, as well as the establishment of new tertiary institutions in different parts of the region.

Other projects and initiatives he attributed to the Tinubu administration included the proposed rail network from Enugu to Port Harcourt, the approval and ongoing construction of Abia Airport, expansion of the Enugu and Owerri airports, and approval for South East governors to take over the reconstruction of some federal roads for faster delivery, with subsequent reimbursement.

Onuigbo expressed particular appreciation to President Tinubu for restoring delisted management courses at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture after eight years of uncertainty.

He said the decision had created opportunities for students in the zone, saved existing jobs and generated new employment opportunities in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State and the wider South East.

The former National Assembly member described the ongoing construction of the Federal Secretariat at Ekeoba Ohuhu in Umuahia North Local Government Area as “the jewel in the crown,” noting that the project commenced after 35 years of the creation of Abia State.“I facilitated both of these projects to the glory of God,” he said.

Onuigbo further stated that President Tinubu was reconstructing major federal roads, stressing that the administration had made significant progress in repositioning Nigeria within the global economy.

He acknowledged that Nigeria remained a “work-in-progress,” but insisted that President Tinubu had “done remarkably well” and deserved another term to complete the reforms and programmes already initiated.

The former lawmaker therefore urged APC members and stakeholders to prepare for more work ahead of the campaign, describing them as partners in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

On his own political future, Onuigbo said he remained committed to promoting the APC and preserving the ideals of good governance, while supporting the consolidation of President Tinubu’s reforms.

Onuigbo urged party stakeholders not to allow personal political ambitions to overshadow the broader objective of securing President Tinubu’s re-election.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term should therefore mean more to every APC stakeholder than personal political progression,” he said.