President of GLOBE Legislators International, Rt Hon Sam Onuigbo, has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election for a second term as a matter of urgent national importance, saying the stakes for the 2027 presidential election are higher than they were in 2023.

Onuigbo, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives, said a second four-year term would give Tinubu the opportunity to consolidate, fine-tune and stabilise the reforms initiated by his administration.

He spoke on Friday while flagging off the Odozi-Obodo for Tinubu Campaign Movement at his country home in Odozi Obodo Hills, Obuohia Obi-Ibere, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.

According to him, Tinubu has made significant progress in repositioning Nigeria’s economy and deserves another term to consolidate the foundation already laid.

Onuigbo told supporters at the event that their presence demonstrated a collective resolve to work for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

He said despite what he described as confusion and manipulation surrounding the APC senatorial primary, he had decided against litigation, choosing instead to continue projecting the party and supporting the ideals of good governance and the consolidation of Tinubu’s reforms.

He said: “While I appreciate your unalloyed support, I want to use this opportunity to crave your indulgence for a committed approach to the campaigns for President Tinubu’s re-election for a second term in office.

“There are so many reasons why we should keep our eyes on the ball to achieve this singular target of a second term for Mr President.

“The stakes are higher now than when we joined the APC, especially because of the bold and courageous reforms the President has initiated under the aegis of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Mr President deserves the support of every genuine Nigerian. I dare say that it is our bounden duty to keep supporting the President and work hard to ensure he wins the 2027 presidential election because he needs to consolidate the foundation already laid.”

Onuigbo urged members of the campaign movement to brace for more work ahead of the election, saying they were partners in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He listed what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration and the reasons Nigerians, particularly those in the South-East, should support the President’s re-election.

According to him, Tinubu campaigned on policies including ending the parallel foreign exchange market, making Nigeria a preferred destination for foreign direct investment, removing fuel subsidy, diversifying the economy and promoting inclusive governance.

He said Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy on 29 May 2023 attracted widespread criticism at the time but had subsequently contributed to increased revenue available to the three tiers of government.

Onuigbo said Federation Account Allocation Committee funds distributed to the three tiers of government had increased from N711 billion in 2023 to N4.5 trillion in 2026.

He also cited increased refining capacity, crude oil production, foreign reserves and investment in education as evidence of the administration’s economic reforms.

He said Nigeria’s refining capacity had risen from about 30,000 barrels per day in 2023 to more than 700,000 barrels per day in 2026, while crude oil production had risen from about 1.3 million barrels per day in 2023 to more than 1.73 million barrels per day.

Onuigbo further claimed that the country’s foreign reserves had increased from $3.99 billion in 2023 to $51.9 billion in 2026, while more than N300 billion had been invested through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

He also said Tinubu’s foreign engagements had attracted more than $50 billion in foreign direct investment, including $20 billion in 2026 alone.

On economic growth, Onuigbo said Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product had grown from 2.74 per cent in 2023 to 3.9 per cent in the first half of 2026, citing the National Bureau of Statistics.

He attributed the growth largely to the non-oil sector, including financial technology, agriculture and solid minerals, which he said demonstrated progress in the administration’s economic diversification agenda.

ALSO READ: Why I was invited to speak at NBA conference — VeryDarkMan

The former federal lawmaker also highlighted what he described as Tinubu’s inclusive governance and interventions in the South-East.

He cited the appointment of service chiefs from the region, the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, the creation of new tertiary institutions, the proposed Enugu-Port Harcourt rail network, the approval and ongoing construction of Abia Airport, and the expansion of the Enugu and Owerri airports.

He also mentioned the approval granted to South-East governors to reconstruct some federal roads and receive reimbursement from the Federal Government.

Onuigbo said he was particularly grateful to Tinubu for the administration’s decision to restore delisted management courses at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

He said the decision had expanded access to higher education, preserved existing jobs and created new employment opportunities in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State and the wider South-East.

He added that the ongoing construction of the Federal Secretariat at Ekeoba Ohuhu in Umuahia North Local Government Area, 35 years after the creation of Abia State, was “the jewel on the crown.”

Onuigbo said he facilitated the two projects, adding that the Federal Government was also reconstructing major federal roads across the South-East.