Akpabio rallies South-South APC to deliver ‘highest votes’ for Tinubu

…South-East strategy shifts as APGA backs APC re-election

Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, on Wednesday, threw early political weight behind the 2027 re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu, charging the South-South to deliver the highest votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) nationwide.

Speaking at the APC South-South Zonal Congress in Asaba, Akpabio framed the region’s political consolidation under the ruling party as a springboard for electoral dominance in the next general election.

“It is not whether you are going to win in 2027,” Akpabio said. “Because you cannot be escorted by lions and you become afraid of goats.”

He urged party faithful across the six Sates in the oil-rich region to set their sights on outperforming other geopolitical zones at the polls.

“Now that we are complete and we are focused, the question then will be: What quantum of votes will the South-South give to the APC?”, he asked.

“Turn to the person by your side. Challenge the person. Say we will give the highest votes among the six zones in Nigeria. We will give the highest”, he added.

Akpabio also linked the region’s growing alignment with the APC to what he described as increased political recognition under Tinubu’s administration, noting that the emergence of a Senate President from the zone marked a significant shift.

“Imagine the last time we had a Senate President from this zone, Joseph Wayas, about 45 years ago,” he said.

“So under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the South-South is now recognised. We are on the table. You cannot have a brother on the table and you go and carry last. Can South-South carry last?”

The Senate President highlighted the rapid political transformation of the region within the APC, recalling that the party controlled only one state in the South-South after the 2023 elections.

“Now, Governor of Cross River State, you are no longer alone,” he said, referencing the party’s expansion across the region.

“All these achievements, to have all these governors coming together in the South-South, was made possible by the fact that the zonal leadership of the party under Victor Giadom has been steady, steadfast and focused.”

Also speaking, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, described the congress as a defining moment for the region, declaring that the South-South had become a critical political bloc under the APC.

“South-South is very key to this nation and this is the first time the South-South is coming together under one party,” he said.

“Today is not just another political gathering. It is a declaration that the APC in South-South is united, organised and ready for the future.”

Oborevwori urged party members to consolidate the gains by strengthening grassroots structures.

“We have demonstrated that the APC remains the most structured and democratic party in Nigeria. We must continue to deepen our unity, strengthen our structures in every ward, local government and stay firmly connected to the grassroots,” he added.

The high point of the congress was the emergence of a new South-South zonal executive, with Victor Giadom re-elected by consensus as National Vice Chairman (South-South).

Other members of the executive include Ita Udosen (Zonal Secretary), Safugha Newword (Legal Adviser), Samuel Nwanosike (Publicity Secretary), Koyoyo Uhrorho (Youth Leader), Sodangwuo Omoni (Women Leader),  Edward Ajang (Organising Secretary), and Ayo Peter Olowojoba (Leader, People Living with Disability).

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has declared its intention to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 Presidential election.
The party said the move reflects its current political direction and long-standing alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).The position was made public on Wednesday by APGA National Chairman, Sly Ezeokenwa, during a television interview.

His remarks confirmed earlier signals from Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, who had hinted that the party would not field a Presidential candidate in the next election cycle.According to Ezeokenwa, the party’s National Working Committee had already agreed on the decision.

“The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the National Working Committee, had already taken the decision that we will stay aligned and we will still share the same accord with the All Progressive Congress (APC) and accept the idea of adopting Mr. President as our presidential candidate,” he said.

He explained that the decision did not come suddenly. The party, he noted, has maintained a consistent ideological position over time.

“Even prior to anybody’s declaration, the party maintains the position that it will stand ideologically aligned with not just with the All Progressive Congress, but with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, and nothing has changed about that,” he added.

Despite the declaration, Ezeokenwa clarified that the endorsement is yet to be formally ratified.

He said the party would complete the process during a national convention, where the adoption of President Tinubu would be officially sealed.

The APGA chairman also spoke on the broader political strategy behind the move. He pointed to voting patterns from the 2023 general election as a major factor influencing the party’s decision.

According to him, the South-East region contributed less than 10% of the total votes cast in that election.

He said the figures show the need for stronger political alliances if the region hopes to produce top national leaders.

“If you look at the demographics of the 2023 election, the southeast contributed less than 10 per cent of the total vote cast in that election,” he stated.

Ezeokenwa stressed that no region can secure the Presidency in isolation. He said collaboration across geopolitical zones has become necessary in Nigeria’s political structure.

“So what it tells you is that to have a shot at the presidency or even the vice presidency or any top position in the country, you need a strategic partnership with our brothers from the North, South West, or even the South South,” he said.

He added that leaders from the South-East had begun to rethink their political approach.

According to him, “there is a growing consensus that the region must reconnect with mainstream national politics.Quoting the position of regional stakeholders.

“Look, we cannot continue to isolate ourselves from the central politics of our country.”

He further noted that the time had come for a more inclusive strategy that would give the region a stronger voice at the centre.

“This is the time in our strategic interest for us to now look at the way that we can be alive,” he added.