The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South zone has unanimously endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election. This decision was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Benin City, Edo State, with the theme “Renewed Hope in Action: Strengthening APC Mobilization and Governance in the South-South”.
The APC stakeholders from the South-South zone threw their weight behind President Tinubu, citing his infrastructural development and Renewed Hope agenda as reasons for their support. The party also endorsed its four governors in the region, namely Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Governor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Prince Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State, and Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio appealed to party members in the region to speak with one voice and emphasized the region’s strategic importance, saying “We must prepare ahead… this region lays the golden egg and should determine who shares in it.” Akpabio’s statement highlights the significance of the South-South region in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Akpabio also hinted that Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State might soon join the APC, expressing confidence that the entire South-South region would soon be under the party’s control. This development could potentially strengthen the APC’s position in the region and impact the 2027 elections.
The APC’s decision to adopt President Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election demonstrates the party’s commitment to its Renewed Hope agenda and its determination to consolidate its presence in the South-South region. With key political figures from both legislative and executive arms present, the meeting signals a major shift in regional political alliances.
The South-South region is considered crucial to Nigeria’s economy, and the APC’s move is seen as a strategic effort to maintain unity and build momentum, positioning itself as the dominant political force in Nigeria’s oil-rich geopolitical zone. The party’s stakeholders meeting was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, National Assembly members, governors, ministers, and other top party stakeholders.
