By John Umeh
The political landscape in Nigeria is beginning to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the South-South chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office. In a strategic move aimed at consolidating power and unifying party loyalists, the region also endorsed four of its incumbent governors for re-election, signaling a renewed drive toward political stability and continuity.
At a high-level regional APC meeting held in Port Harcourt, party leaders, stakeholders, and grassroots representatives gathered to deliberate on the direction of the party in the years leading to 2027. The outcome was a unanimous resolution to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, praising his ongoing reforms, infrastructural strides, and commitment to national economic recovery. According to South-South APC Chairman, Chief Blessing Agbomhere, the endorsement was a “clear expression of trust in Tinubu’s leadership and his vision for a greater Nigeria.”
“We in the South-South have benefitted immensely from President Tinubu’s first term through key appointments, strategic projects, and developmental policies. Our position today is not just political—it is based on performance. We strongly believe that continuity will fast-track the progress already underway,” Agbomhere stated.
The endorsement also extends to four incumbent APC governors in the region—Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo, Governor Obong Nsima Ekere of Akwa Ibom (following a court-validated mandate), and Governor Dennis Idahosa of Edo State, who secured victory in a 2025 rerun election. Party leaders commended the governors for their leadership, citing visible progress in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and investment attraction across their states.
Observers note that the move reflects a broader strategic repositioning by the APC in the South-South, a region traditionally dominated by the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP). By consolidating around incumbents and backing the president, the APC hopes to deepen its footprint and build lasting political machinery in the oil-rich region ahead of the 2027 polls.
In his virtual address to the gathering, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for the endorsement, assuring South-South APC members that their support would not go unrewarded. He reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive governance and assured the region of more federal presence through transformative economic and infrastructural projects.
“I see the South-South as critical to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria. We are building a nation that works for everyone. With your continued support, the journey to a better Nigeria will not falter,” Tinubu said.
Political analysts view the endorsement as a boost to Tinubu’s early 2027 re-election campaign, especially given the region’s influence in national politics and electoral strength. It also places pressure on opposition parties to reassess their strategies in a region once considered a PDP fortress.
As Nigeria edges closer to the next general elections, the South-South APC’s united front sets the tone for what may become one of the most contested and closely watched electoral cycles in recent memory. For now, however, the message from the region is clear: continuity, loyalty, and confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and his team.
