The South East Renewed Hope Agenda (SERHA), a political group, has declared its unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the upcoming 2027 general elections. This endorsement comes as the group officially launched its Imo State chapter, emphasizing a grassroots mobilization strategy to promote Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” vision across the southeastern region. SERHA’s National Coordinator, Belusochukwu Enwere, highlighted key initiatives undertaken by the Tinubu administration that have positively impacted the Southeast, citing the recent approval of the Eastern Rail line as a testament to the President’s commitment to the region’s development. He further underscored the significance of this project, emphasizing its potential to generate employment opportunities, revitalize dormant industries, and improve connectivity between the Southeast and other parts of the country.
Enwere’s address emphasized the historical context of the Eastern Rail line project, portraying it as an unprecedented investment in southeastern infrastructure since the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970. He argued that the Tinubu administration is demonstrating a significant policy shift aimed at addressing long-standing regional neglect and infrastructure inequality. The project, according to Enwere, is poised to drastically reduce transportation costs, open new export channels, and ultimately reintegrate the Southeast into the national economic framework. This commitment to infrastructural development, Enwere asserted, underscores President Tinubu’s dedication to bridging the gap between the Southeast and the rest of the nation.
Beyond the Eastern Rail line, Enwere highlighted the establishment of the South East Development Commission and the South East Investment Company, both championed by the Tinubu administration, as further evidence of the President’s commitment to the region’s growth. The South East Investment Company, capitalized with N150 billion, is specifically designed to catalyze development and investment within the Southeast. These initiatives, Enwere argued, showcase President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance and his focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people of the Southeast. He framed these actions as part of a broader vision to ensure that all Nigerians, including those in the Southeast, experience the positive impact of the “Renewed Hope” agenda.
SERHA’s commitment to Tinubu’s re-election extends beyond pronouncements of support. Enwere outlined a comprehensive plan to engage directly with communities throughout the Southeast. Starting the following month, SERHA intends to embark on a tour across the 95 Local Government Areas and 2,344 wards within the five southeastern states. This grassroots outreach aims to mobilize support for President Tinubu’s second term, emphasizing his performance and positioning him as the preferred candidate for the region. Enwere stressed the importance of a southern Nigerian president completing two full terms, effectively making the case for Tinubu’s re-election as a matter of regional representation and political equity.
The inauguration of the Imo State chapter of SERHA also featured an address by the state coordinator, Chief Justus Ogu. Ogu echoed Enwere’s sentiments, praising the establishment of the South East Development Commission and its potential to redress infrastructural imbalances within the region. He also commended President Tinubu for appointing several individuals of Igbo descent to key positions within his administration, interpreting this as further evidence of the President’s commitment to inclusivity and representation. Ogu referenced the accessibility of the federal government’s student loan initiative by Southeast students and the ongoing reconstruction of federal roads in the region as additional examples of positive impacts delivered by the Tinubu administration. He concluded by pledging the Imo State chapter’s full support and commitment to securing a significant number of votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 election.
In essence, SERHA’s endorsement and mobilization efforts represent a strategic push to solidify President Tinubu’s support base within the Southeast region. By highlighting infrastructural projects, regional development initiatives, and the appointment of Igbo individuals to prominent positions, SERHA aims to portray Tinubu as a president who is actively invested in the Southeast’s progress. The group’s grassroots campaign strategy, focusing on direct engagement with communities across the region, underscores their commitment to translating this message into tangible electoral support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. The emphasis on completing a two-term presidency for a southern Nigerian further frames Tinubu’s re-election as a matter of regional political balance, aligning with broader arguments for equitable representation within the Nigerian political landscape.
