By Tosin Kolade
Former lawmaker Sam Onuigbo says President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, infrastructure projects and political inclusion provide a basis for his re-election in 2027.
Onuigbo said this at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, where he assessed the administration’s performance since assuming office in 2023.
He said the removal of fuel subsidy was a “bold and courageous” step, describing it as one of the administration’s major economic decisions.
He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, noting that more than N303 billion had been invested in supporting students, while Gross Domestic Product growth had improved from 2.74 per cent in 2023 to 4.43 per cent, according to figures he presented.
Turning to the oil and gas sector, the former lawmaker pointed to increased refining output and efforts to improve domestic energy supply as further indications of the impact of the administration’s policies.
According to him, services now account for more than 56 per cent of GDP, while oil contributes about four per cent.
He also claimed that Nigeria attracted more than 20 billion dollars in foreign direct investment in 2026, with cumulative inflows exceeding 50 billion dollars since 2023.
Onuigbo identified the establishment of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) as another major achievement of the administration.
He said the commission would support reconstruction and development in the region, adding that he participated in efforts to establish it during the eighth and ninth National Assemblies.
He also cited the Enugu-Port Harcourt and Enugu-Onitsha roads, Second Niger Bridge, expansion of Enugu airport and development of an airport in Abia.
Onuigbo said appointments of senior military officers from the Southeast also demonstrated greater political inclusion under Tinubu.
He said the administration’s economic policies would benefit Nigerians, including the Igbo, who were actively engaged in businesses across the country.
Onuigbo commended regional development commissions, especially the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), for rebuilding infrastructure destroyed by insurgency.
“I can speak about the North-East Development Commission, and when I say they’ve done a fantastic job, it’s not because I was involved at all.
“No. It’s because you see what they’ve been able to do,” he said.
The former lawmaker also urged state governments to ensure that increased Federation Account allocations translated into better services at the grassroots.
He said local governments were closest to the people and could contribute to addressing insecurity because of their knowledge of local communities.
Onuigbo identified the student loan scheme as one of the administration’s major policies, saying about one million students had benefited from it.
“It has nothing to do with trader money. This one is actual,” he said.
Onuigbo, who is the newly elected president of Globe Legislators International, praised President Tinubu for his strong commitment to tackling climate change and fostering green industrialisation in Nigeria.
He emphasised Tinubu’s ongoing dedication to climate action and his orderly implementation of the Climate Change Act.
As a former sponsor of the Climate Change Act in the National Assembly, Onuigbo noted several initiatives emerging under the administration.
He highlighted the establishment of two lithium processing plants in Nasarawa, valued at approximately 500 million and 250 million dollars respectively as impressive.
On security, Onuigbo said Nigeria was making progress against insecurity but needed to sustain the momentum.
“People go to work on Mondays, people go to the market on Mondays in different states in the Southeast. That wasn’t the case before,” he said.
He expressed confidence that APC-controlled states would support Tinubu’s re-election, urging Nigerians to assess the administration based on concrete achievements.
He said the combination of economic reforms, infrastructure development, education and political inclusion would strengthen support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election. (NAN)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi