Former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record unexpected support from the South East in the 2027 general elections, insisting that the influence of Labour Party’s Peter Obi will not affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE NEWS, Shittu argued that Tinubu was steadily consolidating his hold across regions, including the South East where opposition dominance has often been presumed.
“And today, if you know the amount of votes that will be coming from even the South East for APC, you’ll be shocked,” Shittu said.
He attributed the development to the efforts of prominent political leaders such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Minister of Works Dave Umahi, who he credited with swaying opinion in Tinubu’s favour.
“Even the people from the South East, with the efforts of people like Dave Umahi and the Senate President and so many others, a lot of people are getting convinced to come the Tinubu route,” the former minister stated.
Pressed on whether Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, remained a factor in the region, Shittu dismissed the possibility outright.
“It doesn’t matter. What is important is for him [Tinubu] to win. Even if he wins by 10 votes, I can assure you that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is going to win,” he said.
Acknowledging the current economic hardship in the country, Shittu noted the spike in fuel prices and the fall of the naira but argued that Tinubu inherited years of mismanagement and was laying the foundation for recovery.
“Nigerians are not finding it easy. But I want to say this with authority and sincerity: a lot of the initiatives of Tinubu now, Nigerians will come to thank him sooner than later,” he maintained.
