In a significant political realignment, governors and key leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Nigeria's Southeast region have thrown their collective weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, endorsing him as their sole and undisputed presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
A Unified Front for 2027
The decision was reached on Saturday, January 10, 2026, during a major gathering in Enugu tagged "Izu Umunne." The meeting served as a strategic move to consolidate the zone's political direction and avert the pitfalls of the 2023 polls, where the ruling party secured a mere six per cent of the presidential vote in the Southeast.
The communique, read by the party's National Vice Chairman for the Southeast, Ijeoma Arodiogbu, declared the region's "unalloyed, total and unwavering support" for President Tinubu. The leaders categorically dissociated the zone from any actions driven by personal ambition, warning that such moves fracture the collective unity needed for the region's progress.
High-Profile Attendance and Key Motions
The high-stakes meeting was attended by a who's who of Southeast politics. The APC governors present included Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and the host governor, Peter Mbah of Enugu State.
Other notable figures included Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; former Senate Presidents Ken Nnamani and Anyim Pius Anyim; and former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, alongside several senators and House of Representatives members.
The motion for Tinubu's endorsement was moved by former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, who argued that no better candidate exists to help the region actualise its goals. He praised Tinubu for succeeding "where others have failed." The motion was seconded by another former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, and received overwhelming support from the assembly.
Pragmatism and Delivered Benefits
The leaders anchored their support on what they described as the transformative policies of the Tinubu-led federal government. They cited the opening of opportunities for the Southeast, strategic alignment to secure a fair share of national resources, and key infrastructural projects as primary reasons.
Governor Peter Mbah described the endorsement and the growing movement into the APC—which now controls three of the region's five states—as a paradigm shift grounded in pragmatism. He stated that the region is already reaping the benefits of aligning with the central government.
"This is no whimsical decision; it is rooted in facts," Mbah emphasized. "Politics is nurtured by partnership; the willingness to trust each other, to align, and to work together even when the path is challenging."
A Warning and a Pledge
Governor Hope Uzodimma, who also serves as the Director-General of the Renewed Hope Initiative 2027, gave a brief history of the APC's growth in the region. While stating that the party holds better promises for the Igbo people, he issued a stern warning against actions that could lead to a repeat of the disappointing six per cent vote delivery of 2023.
He acknowledged the enormous responsibility on his shoulders to deliver all party candidates in the Southeast and deepen the APC's hold. Echoing the need for strong party management, Governor Francis Nwifuru urged stakeholders to continue welcoming defectors, noting that effective party administration is crucial for electoral victory.
The communique concluded with a resolution urging all Igbo sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora, to fully embrace the APC as the most effective platform for their aspirations. They rejected the scattering of votes across multiple parties, a practice they said has historically diminished the region's influence and bargaining power at the national level.
The leaders pledged to intensify voter education, registration drives, and party strengthening efforts to ensure an unprecedented victory for President Tinubu and, by extension, the entire Southeast in the 2027 elections.
