Why Tinubu Should Get Another Term, Former Lawmaker

A former member of the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo, has called on members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress to work harder for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

Onuigbo, who is also the President of Globe Legislators International, made this call during a stakeholders’ meeting to kick off Tinubu’s re-election campaign at his home in Odozi Obodo Hills, Obuohia Obi-Ibere, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.

In a statement he released on Sunday, the former lawmaker said the stakes are now higher than when many party members joined the APC. He pointed out the “bold and courageous reforms” introduced by the Tinubu administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He believes Tinubu deserves the backing of APC members and all Nigerians because a second term will help him build on the foundation laid by his government.

“The stakes are now higher than when many of them joined the APC, especially due to what he described as the bold and courageous reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“President Tinubu deserves the support of every genuine APC member and, indeed, every Nigerian, because he needs a second term to consolidate the foundation already laid by his administration,” the statement partly read.

Onuigbo noted that Tinubu campaigned on policies aimed at ending the “criminal enterprise” of the parallel foreign exchange market. He also aimed to make Nigeria a top choice for foreign direct investment, end fuel subsidies, diversify the economy, and promote inclusive governance.

He recalled that Tinubu ended the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023, the same day he took office, despite opposition criticism.

Onuigbo said these reforms have greatly changed the country’s fiscal and economic situation. He highlighted that funds shared by the three tiers of government through the Federation Account Allocation Committee have increased significantly.

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

The former lawmaker added that state governors are now receiving about five times more from FAAC than they did under previous administrations. He argued that this increased revenue has helped development across local government areas in Abia State and beyond.

He also mentioned developments in the petroleum sector, claiming Nigeria’s refining capacity has risen from 30,000 barrels per day in 2023 to over 700,000 barrels per day in 2026.

Onuigbo said crude oil production increased from about 1.3 million barrels per day in 2023 to over 1.73 million barrels per day in 2026, surpassing Nigeria’s OPEC quota.

He noted that the country’s foreign reserves grew from $3.99 billion in 2023 to $51.9 billion in 2026. He added that over N300 billion has been invested in the students’ NELFUND scheme.

The APC chieftain also credited Tinubu’s foreign engagements for bringing in more than $50 billion in foreign direct investment, with $20 billion attracted in 2026 alone.

He explained that removing the parallel exchange rate system helped get rid of a major barrier to foreign investment.

He said the improved stability in the economy and exchange rate has increased investor confidence and earned international praise for the administration.

On economic growth, Onuigbo stated that Nigeria’s GDP rose from 2.74 percent in 2023 to 3.9 percent in the first half of 2026, based on figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.

He said this growth is significant because it mainly comes from the non-oil sector, including fintech, agriculture, and solid minerals. He sees this as proof of the administration’s efforts in economic diversification.

The former lawmaker also pointed to Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance in the South-East.

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

He also mentioned the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, the creation of new tertiary institutions in the area, and the proposed rail connection from Enugu to Port Harcourt. He added details about the approval and ongoing construction of Abia Airport and the expansion of the Enugu and Owerri airports.

Onuigbo said the Federal Government’s approval for South-East governors to take over the reconstruction of some federal roads, with reimbursement later, will speed up infrastructure development in the region.

He expressed gratitude to Tinubu for restoring management courses at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture after eight years of uncertainty.

He said this decision has opened opportunities for students, protected existing jobs, and created more job opportunities in Ikwuano Local Government Area and the wider South-East.

He described the ongoing construction of the Federal Secretariat at Ekeoba Ohuhu in Umuahia North Local Government Area as “the jewel in the crown.” He noted that this project started 35 years after Abia State was created.

“I facilitated both of these projects to the glory of God,” he said.

Onuigbo mentioned that the administration is also working on major federal roads and making headway in repositioning Nigeria in the global economy.

Though he admitted that Nigeria is still a “work-in-progress,” he insisted that Tinubu has “done remarkably well” and deserves another term to finish the reforms and programs he has started.

He then urged APC members and stakeholders to get ready for the campaign, calling them partners in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The former lawmaker also warned party members against letting personal political ambitions interfere with the goal of securing Tinubu’s re-election.

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