Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is promoting economic growth and improving security in the south-east through investments in infrastructure, agriculture and human capital development.
Shettima made the remarks on Monday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
He said federal government interventions were designed to improve regional connectivity, boost food security, create economic opportunities and tackle development challenges across the region.
The vice-president maintained that the Tinubu administration had shown its commitment to Ebonyi through major infrastructure projects, federal appointments and policies intended to improve residents’ welfare.
“We have never turned our backs on you. We have answered your support with projects and His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has honoured Ebonyi through distinguished appointments and projects across the state,” he said.
Shettima said the administration was seeking another mandate to sustain its development programmes, describing public office as a responsibility to improve people’s lives.
“If any state can speak with confidence about the dividends of democracy, it is Ebonyi. You have stood by us. You have assured us that a mandate is a debt of honour, repayable only through service,” he said.
“Yet democracy demands the humility of asking again. We have returned to seek the renewal of your mandate, to serve you, to defend you, and to stand by you.”
On infrastructure, Shettima identified the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja superhighway as a major project expected to boost trade and economic connections between the south-east, north-central and other parts of Nigeria.
He also listed the Ndibe Bridge, which is expected to connect Ebonyi with Cross River State, alongside ongoing construction work on the Enugu–Abakaliki–Ogoja expressway and the Okposi–Ohaozara–Ukawu–Cross River road.
According to him, the projects would ease the transportation of agricultural produce and manufactured goods while reducing logistical difficulties for businesses and communities.
On agriculture, Shettima described Ebonyi as a significant contributor to Nigeria’s food supply, particularly through its production of rice and cassava.
He said the federal government was assisting farmers through fertiliser distribution, interest-free FarmerMoni support and other agricultural development initiatives.
The vice-president added that thousands of Ebonyi residents had benefited from grants under the presidential conditional grant scheme, while federal employment and digital skills programmes were opening up opportunities for young people.
Addressing security concerns, Shettima said the Tinubu administration had stepped up efforts to restore stability across the south-east. He noted that economic progress depended on protecting communities, businesses and critical infrastructure.
He identified the establishment and commencement of operations at the Nigerian Army Recruits Training Depot in Amasiri–Edda, Ebonyi State, as one of the federal government’s security interventions in the region.
“The security of the south-east has changed since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu became Commander-in-Chief over three years ago. We have worked to restore order, and we will keep working,” he said.
Shettima also highlighted the establishment of the South East Development Commission, the launch of the South-East Vision 2050 and the approval of the South East Investment Company as initiatives intended to accelerate regional development and attract investments.
He praised Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru for directing increased federal revenue allocations towards infrastructure and essential public services.
Speaking at the rally, Nwifuru reaffirmed the state’s support for Tinubu, saying Ebonyi had benefited from the administration’s economic reforms and road infrastructure interventions.
“Under President Tinubu, the poor roads in our state and zone are now better. We now enjoy special road interventions,” he said.
However, the governor appealed to the federal government to support the construction of a 330kV electricity transmission line to improve power supply across the state.
Nwifuru also pledged that Ebonyi would secure 80 per cent of its votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.