By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
2027: South-East Governors, APC Heavyweights Unite Behind Tinubu’s Second-Term Bid
Governors of the South-East, top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and influential political stakeholders across the region have formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, pledging to mobilise massive support for him ahead of the 2027 general election.
The endorsement followed a high-powered meeting of South-East APC leaders, elders and critical stakeholders, known as the Izu Umunne gathering, held at the Presidential Hotel in Enugu.
At the end of the meeting, a communiqué was issued and unanimously adopted, signalling a major political realignment in the zone and a renewed commitment to work closely with the ruling party at the centre.
Presenting the communiqué, the APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr Ijeoma Arodiigbu, said the region had resolved to pursue a united political direction and abandon divisive, self-serving politics.
According to the leaders, the South-East would no longer allow personal ambitions and internal rivalries to weaken its collective bargaining power at the national level.
“The people of the South-East have resolved to dissociate themselves from actions driven by narrow personal interests, regardless of status. The future of our region and our party cannot be built on ego and division,” the communiqué stated.
The leaders described the APC as the most practical political platform for the region, stressing that strategic alignment with the Federal Government was necessary to attract more infrastructure, federal appointments and development projects to the zone.
They further declared their total support for President Tinubu as the preferred presidential candidate of the South-East in 2027.
“We are convinced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued leadership offers the best prospects for faster development of the South-East and the nation at large,” the communiqué added.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, said the region must take responsibility for its place in national politics.
He noted that the South-East recorded low support for the APC during the 2023 presidential election, which weakened its political influence at the centre.
“While other zones were building national bridges, the South-East chose a different route. In 2023, other regions gave between 34 and 54 per cent to our candidate, while the South-East gave just six per cent.
When you become politically predictable, you become easy to ignore,” Uzodimma said.
He described backing Tinubu’s second term as a strategic investment in the future of the region.
“If we stand firmly with him for eight years, we are building a bridge that our children will cross when it is our turn to aspire to the presidency,” he said.
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, described the endorsement as a turning point for the region’s politics.
“This is not a decision taken on impulse. It is based on facts and a clear understanding that regional success comes from vision, discipline and long-term planning,” Mbah said.
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, urged party leaders to embrace unity and reconciliation, expressing confidence that the APC would continue to grow stronger in the zone.
“APC is now a big family. Politics is about compromise and sacrifice. Our task now is not how to build the party again, but how to manage it well,” Nwifuru said.
The motion endorsing President Tinubu was moved by former Senate President, Senator Pius Anyim, and seconded by former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Ikedi Ohakim, as well as several party leaders and stakeholders from across the South-East.
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