Leaders and critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East have unanimously endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
The APC leaders, who met on Sunday at a historic Izu Umunne meeting at the Presidential Hotel, Enugu, said the zone would not be swayed by emerging political alignments seeking to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Naijaonpoint reports that their endorsement came barely 11 days after the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, declared his “full membership” of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in pursuit of his 2027 presidential ambition.
Peter Obi had said he would use the platform to “rescue Nigeria from bad leadership that has held the country down.”
However, in a communique issued at the end of the APC meeting, the South-East leaders declared their “unalloyed, total and unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our sole and undisputed presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.”
The motion endorsing Tinubu was moved by a former Senate President, Pius Anyim, and seconded by another former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, who described the decision as “both courageous and strategic.”
The leaders vowed that the South-East would no longer scatter its votes across different political parties, insisting that such a pattern had historically weakened the zone’s political bargaining power at the centre.
Rejecting Personal Ambition
The communique categorically dissociated the South-East from “all activities motivated by the self-serving interests of any individual, however highly placed.”
It stated, “The progress of our zone and our great party cannot be achieved through narrow personal ambitions or actions that fracture collective unity.
“Any such conduct shall henceforth be regarded as contrary to our shared aspirations and will receive neither endorsement nor support from our zone.”
The leaders added that the political leadership of the zone had resolved that “never again will we allow personal ego and motivated actions to influence the fate of the South-East.”
Why Tinubu, APC – Leaders Explain
According to the communique, the endorsement followed “thorough deliberations on national developments, regional challenges and the strategic place of Ndi Igbo in the country’s political future.”
They described the APC as “the most practical party of choice” for the South-East, arguing that alignment with the ruling party would enable the zone to negotiate better representation and development.
“This decision is anchored on the transformative policies of the APC-led Federal Government, the opportunities opened to our region, and the imperative of strategic alignment with the ruling party to secure our fair share of national resources, infrastructure, appointments and development,” the leaders said.
They urged all sons and daughters of Igboland, both at home and in the Diaspora, to embrace the APC as the most effective platform for achieving their political, economic and social aspirations.
No Vote Scattering In 2027
Although the five South-East states are currently controlled by three different political parties, the APC leaders warned against what they described as the “dangerous habit” of scattering votes.
They insisted that every vote cast by Ndigbo in 2027, whether within or outside the zone, must be for President Tinubu, regardless of any individual’s political ambition from the region.
The leaders said they were satisfied with Tinubu’s performance in office, particularly his efforts to address infrastructural deficits in the South-East.
They also commended him for what they described as inclusive governance, noting “the elevation of our sons and daughters to key national positions.”
“President Tinubu’s leadership, defined by competence, results and national cohesion, has earned our deepest respect.
“We are convinced that his continued stewardship holds the brightest prospects for accelerated development of our region and the nation as a whole,” the communique read.
The stakeholders expressed strong allegiance to the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, as well as other governors in the zone.
They praised the governors for what they described as “visionary guidance, steady statesmanship and consistent defence of the interests of Ndi Igbo at this critical time.”
“We pledge our complete loyalty and support to all our five governors as we advance together in support of our visionary President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” they said.
To achieve their 2027 objective, the leaders resolved to intensify voter education, registration drives, party strengthening and unity-building efforts to secure what they described as unprecedented victory”for Tinubu.
Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State were assigned to supervise and mobilise the APC structure in Anambra State, while Uzodimma will continue to oversee Imo State.
“Finally, we commit ourselves irrevocably to mobilising every available human, material and spiritual resources to deliver massive bloc votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu across the five South-Eastern states in 2027,” the communique stated.
Speaking at the meeting, Governor Mbah described the endorsement of Tinubu and the growing alignment of the South-East with the APC as “a paradigm shift grounded in pragmatism.”
He said the region had moved from “standing at the crossroads of history to shaping history itself.”
Also speaking, Governor Nwifuru expressed confidence that by 2027, all governors in the South-East would be members of the APC.
He urged party leaders to prioritise reconciliation and sacrifice, stressing that the influx of new members required effective internal management rather than further party expansion.
Naijaonpoint reports that the meeting ended with a call on all Ndi Igbo to rally behind the APC “to build a future where our children can prosper in a Nigeria that truly works for all.”