Remi Tinubu Seeks South-East Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election, Announces ₦200,000 Empowerment Scheme
Photo Credit:Arise News
Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on women and residents of the South-East to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027, while announcing fresh empowerment programmes for women and elderly citizens.
She made the appeal on Saturday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-East Women Presidential Rally held at Michael Okpara Square in Enugu State.
The event featured the distribution of empowerment materials, including sewing machines, food processors, generating sets and popcorn machines, to women from the five South-East states to support small businesses and economic activities.
Addressing the gathering, Mrs Tinubu expressed confidence in the Federal Government's economic reforms, declaring that the most difficult period was over and that Nigeria was moving towards prosperity.
She compared the economic reform process to childbirth, suggesting that although the initial experience had been difficult, the country was approaching a period of economic improvement.
The First Lady also announced plans for additional financial assistance under empowerment programmes scheduled for December.
According to reports, APC senatorial candidates would be provided with funds on December 3 to support 250 beneficiaries in each senatorial district with ₦200,000 each.
She also announced another intervention scheduled for December 17 targeting elderly citizens aged 65 and above.
The initiatives are intended to provide financial support to vulnerable groups and strengthen their economic activities.
Mrs Tinubu further urged women in the region to mobilise support for her husband's second-term ambition, encouraging them to support APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rally attracted several political leaders, including Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru and Deputy Governor of Anambra State Onyekachukwu Ibezim.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, also called for support for President Tinubu, arguing that the South-East should support an eight-year presidential tenure rather than a one-term arrangement.
Other political leaders at the gathering also expressed support for the President's re-election ambition and encouraged greater political mobilisation across the region.
However, the First Lady's declaration that Nigeria had overcome the worst of its economic difficulties has attracted criticism from some Nigerians.
Critics have questioned the government's assessment of the economy, pointing to the high cost of living and increases in the prices of essential commodities, including food and fuel.
Some social media reactions have cited the reported increase in egg prices from ₦30 to ₦300 and petrol prices from ₦210 to ₦1,360 per litre as examples of the economic pressures experienced by households.
The event has therefore generated discussions about the relationship between government empowerment programmes, economic reforms and the everyday financial realities of Nigerians.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the APC's mobilisation activities in the South-East highlight the party's efforts to strengthen its political support in a region where electoral support will be important to its wider political strategy.