Shettima, Akpabio Laud Tinubu’s Impact In Edo, Galvanize South-South Support For 2027 Re-Election

Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting

Vice President Kashim Shettima and Senate President Godswill Akpabio have lauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its investments in infrastructure, healthcare, security, power and economic development, declaring that the South-South is poised to deliver massive electoral support for the President in the January 16, 2027 election.

The two leaders spoke in Benin City, Edo State, where they highlighted what they described as significant improvements across the country, particularly in the South-South, while urging the people to sustain their support for the Tinubu administration.

Shettima, who called on the people of Edo to renew their confidence in the President, said the Federal Government remained committed to addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and improving the living conditions of citizens through people-oriented projects and policies.

He disclosed that the administration had added 600 megawatts to the national grid and commissioned the Amuri substation as part of efforts to strengthen electricity supply and stimulate economic activities.

On healthcare, the Vice President highlighted improvements at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), which now provides radiotherapy services for cancer patients and subsidised dialysis for eligible patients.

He also listed ongoing improvements at the Edo State Specialist Hospital and the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre, alongside Federal Government support for 158 public health facilities across Edo State.

Shettima further identified education, vocational training and economic empowerment as key areas of the administration’s interventions, noting that vulnerable citizens were receiving business support and financial assistance, while young people were being equipped with vocational skills to improve their employment prospects.

He added that the Federal Government had improved the remuneration and operational capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies to strengthen national security.

On the longstanding campaign for the return of Benin artefacts, Shettima acknowledged the role of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and other stakeholders, noting that progress had been made, with institutions in Cambridge and Sweden transferring ownership of several artefacts to Nigeria.

The Vice President urged Edo people to judge the Tinubu administration by its achievements, the impact of its policies and its commitment to completing ongoing projects.

“We have come this far with your trust, and we seek your mandate to finish the work we have begun,” he said.

In his remarks, Akpabio declared that the South-South was determined to deliver overwhelming votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, expressing confidence that the region would outperform other geopolitical zones.

He said the growing political support for the President across the southern states was driven by the administration’s visible interventions, particularly in infrastructure and security.

Akpabio specifically commended Tinubu for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing the project as a long-standing dream that had remained unrealised until the present administration.

He disclosed that an additional 100 kilometres had been added to the highway project to extend its coverage across Edo State, expressing gratitude on behalf of the people of the South-South for the development.

On security, the Senate President listed the establishment of additional military formations, including a new forward operational base, a Mobile Police base and an army division in Edo, as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling insecurity.

He also disclosed that more than 500 forest guards had been recruited from among Edo youths to strengthen security, particularly in forest communities.

Akpabio expressed optimism about the introduction of state police, noting that about 32 states had reportedly indicated support for the constitutional amendment required to establish state policing as a complementary structure to the Federal Police.

The Senate President further praised Tinubu for promoting fiscal federalism, arguing that increased allocations to state governments had enabled them to pay workers’ salaries, meet their obligations and embark on visible development projects.

He observed that several states across the South had become construction sites, with Edo State witnessing the emergence of its first set of flyovers.

Akpabio also commended the administration for supporting the establishment of universities and other development initiatives across the country, insisting that the South-South had sufficient reasons to appreciate the President’s leadership.

He assured Tinubu that the region would mobilise massive electoral support for his re-election, declaring that there was no competition in the South-South’s determination to deliver votes for the President.