Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Betta Edu, has set a target of 1.5 million votes from Cross River for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Ms Edu, co-chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Mobilisation Directorate, made the declaration on Sunday in Calabar during an empowerment programme that benefited about 500 market women, petty traders and artisans.

She said the initiative, organised at the instance of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, was designed to improve women’s economic livelihoods and strengthen grassroots mobilisation.

Ms Edu said beneficiaries received N50,000 each, along with business and household equipment, including deep freezers, blenders, and toasters.

According to her, the intervention targets petty traders whose businesses are constrained by inadequate capital.

Ms Edu urged residents of the state to support Mr Tinubu, Governor Bassey Otu, and other APC candidates as the party is banking on grassroots women’s mobilisation to strengthen its electoral fortunes in the state.

She expressed confidence that the state would deliver more than 1.5 million votes for the ruling party, adding that the directorate was establishing support structures for women across the country.

Ms Edu disclosed that the empowerment programme would be extended to other parts of Cross River, with Abi Local Government Area scheduled to benefit in November or December, while the northern senatorial district would be reached in January.

The former minister also highlighted some federal government interventions, including the student loan scheme and free maternal healthcare, as measures aimed at improving the welfare of Nigerians.

As part of the mobilisation activities, she led members of the directorate on a visit to the General Hospital, Calabar, where they interacted with patients, pregnant women and children receiving treatment and offered financial and emotional support.

She said the hospital outreach was undertaken by the First Lady ahead of the APC rally scheduled to be held in Calabar on Monday.

Ms Edu also cited subsidised dialysis services and free maternal healthcare as interventions to improve healthcare access and reduce maternal mortality.

One of the beneficiaries, Esther Bassey,  pledged her support for the APC in 2027, saying she and her family would vote for the party. 

(NAN)