Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday declared that the most difficult phase of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms was over assuring Nigerians that a renewed mandate for the administration in 2027 would usher in an era of prosperity and tangible rewards for their sacrifices.
Shettima who described the proposed second term as a season of harvest insisted the administration had laid the foundation for sustainable economic growth and that no opposition party could improve the government’s economic trajectory.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Calabar Cross River State the Vice President appealed to voters to re-elect President Tinubu Governor Bassey Edet Otu and other APC candidates in the 2027 general election.
He maintained that the administration’s difficult economic decisions since assuming office in 2023 had rescued the economy and created conditions for improved living standards employment opportunities and national prosperity.
‘We are confident of this promise to deliver for this nation because we have already done the most difficult job of economic reset. None of the other options available has the capacity to move the needle of the economy.
‘We have rescued the economy and the road ahead is one of harvest. This second term is one of harvest for you and all Nigerians.
‘I therefore stand before you today to ask you once again to renew the mandate of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and myself as Vice President.
‘And another term for Senator Bassey Edet Otu and Hon. Peter Odey as Governor and Deputy Governor of Cross River State respectively’ Shettima said.
According to a statement issued by his spokesman Stanley Nkwocha the Vice President said the APC’s renewed mandate would enable the administration to consolidate ongoing reforms and translate its economic policies into concrete benefits for ordinary Nigerians.
He described the party’s relationship with Nigerians as an alliance built on progress prosperity opportunity and dignity insisting that public welfare must remain the overriding consideration in governance.
Shettima said the administration recognised that political authority ultimately belonged to the people and that elected officials must periodically account for their stewardship and present credible programmes to justify renewed public trust.
Highlighting the Federal Government’s development agenda for Cross River the Vice President identified the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a major infrastructure investment designed to transform economic activities along Nigeria’s coastal communities.
He said the highway would improve transportation stimulate tourism attract investments and create thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.
‘This is the wisdom behind the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This transformative infrastructure project will connect coastal communities. It will ease the movement of goods and people. It will expand tourism. It will attract investors and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
‘Our vision is for Cross River to become a major beneficiary of this economic revolution’ he stated.
Shettima also disclosed that the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port had secured Federal Government approval and support assuring residents of the administration’s determination to actualise the project.
He said the port when completed would position Cross River as an international maritime gateway attract shipping companies stimulate industrial development and create employment opportunities.
The Vice President also identified the proposal to locate the Gulf of Guinea Commission Secretariat in Calabar as another initiative that could strengthen the state’s international profile.
According to him hosting the secretariat would attract diplomatic and commercial activities expand the hospitality and tourism sectors and create additional economic opportunities.
On the controversy surrounding 46 oil wells Shettima said the Federal Government acknowledged Cross River’s efforts to resolve the dispute and recognised the state’s littoral status.
He assured that the administration was prepared to facilitate a resolution that would strengthen the state’s maritime identity and expand opportunities in the blue economy maritime investment and potential derivation benefits.
Turning to education the Vice President said Cross River was benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) which he described as an important intervention to reduce the financial burden on parents and expand access to tertiary education.
He said the initiative complemented the administration’s Project HOPE Education programme designed to improve foundational learning teacher development school management and accountability.
Shettima however acknowledged that Nigerians continued to experience economic difficulties assuring that the government would remain responsive to public concerns.
He stressed that supporting the administration should not prevent citizens from questioning government decisions or demanding improvements in public service delivery.
According to him the APC sought continuity with accountability not unconditional support because the welfare of Nigerians remained the central purpose of governance.
Earlier APC National Chairman Prof. Nentanwe Yilwatda urged Cross River residents to support the party’s candidates at all levels describing Tinubu as a transformational leader deserving of another mandate.
He cited Federal Government support for the Bakassi Deep Sea Port efforts to revive the Calabar Port and the Trans-Sahara Superhighway among projects demonstrating the administration’s commitment to the state.
Governor Otu in his remarks praised Tinubu’s courage in implementing difficult economic reforms describing the President’s leadership as critical to Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.
He said the administration’s policies in agriculture education industry and security were already producing results expressing confidence that Cross River voters would overwhelmingly support the President’s re-election.
Also speaking Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Senator Abdulaziz Yari dismissed suggestions that northern Nigeria would oppose Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Yari maintained that the President’s performance had earned him another mandate assuring that the North would support his re-election bid.
Before the rally Shettima led an APC delegation on a courtesy visit to the Obong of Calabar His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu where he sought royal support for the party’s electoral aspirations.
He commended the monarch for his commitment to preserving the cultural heritage and traditions of the Efik people describing the traditional institution as an important pillar of national unity.
Governor Otu also sought the monarch’s blessings for the APC and the Tinubu administration.
Responding the Obong welcomed the delegation and urged political leaders to promote unity peaceful coexistence and cooperation.
The traditional ruler commended Tinubu’s willingness to undertake difficult economic reforms expressing confidence that the policies would produce long-term benefits for Nigerians.
Dignitaries at the campaign rally included Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom Monday Okpebholo of Edo and Hope Uzodinma of Imo; members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and party leaders from Cross River and other parts of the South-South.