Former Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, has provided detailed reasoning behind the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office by leaders from Nigeria's Southeast region. Chime described the decision as strategic and firmly grounded in the current political realities within the zone.
Chime's Confidence in Tinubu and APC's Southeast Strategy
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the All Progressives Congress (APC) e-registration exercise in the Enugu West Senatorial District, held in Udi, Chime confirmed his full involvement in the endorsement. The endorsement was made by APC governors and stakeholders from the Southeast over the weekend of January 15, 2026. Chime expressed strong confidence that President Tinubu and the APC would secure a decisive victory in the Southeast during the 2027 presidential election.
"I am part of the Southeast, so you can take it for granted that I was part of that endorsement from the beginning," Chime stated. He emphasized the collective nature of the decision, adding, "That is our decision and we all stand by it. It is easily achievable."
On President Tinubu's performance, the former governor acknowledged the difficult global and continental economic climate but asserted that the President has managed well under the circumstances. "The President has done well. Whatever is happening in Nigeria is global and certainly in Africa. It is all over the place. Given the circumstances, he is doing well," Chime remarked.
APC's Rising Tide in Enugu and the Peter Obi Factor
Chime expressed visible delight at the increasing enthusiasm for the APC in the Southeast, particularly within Enugu State. He stated that his choice to depart from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the 2015 elections has been vindicated by the current political shift. He revealed that APC leaders in Enugu are determined to exceed the two-million membership target set for the state by Governor Peter Mbah during the ongoing electronic registration drive.
"Ten years ago, when I joined the APC, we saw tomorrow. We knew PDP was going down. It is now obvious that APC is the way to go," Chime declared. "The two-million mark is just a starting point; we are going beyond that in Enugu State."
When questioned about the potential impact of Peter Obi in the 2027 elections, Chime indicated he would address the topic more extensively in the coming months. He maintained that President Tinubu would demonstrate strong electoral appeal once the campaign season officially begins.
Grassroots Mobilization and Registration Drive
Also speaking at the event, the Enugu State Coordinator for the APC e-registration programme, Flavour Eze, praised stakeholders in Enugu West for their mobilization efforts. He expressed optimism that the state would surpass the two-million membership goal by the end of the exercise.
Eze highlighted the proactive role played by Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen in the zone. They worked to resolve challenges related to the National Identification Number (NIN) and voter's card requirements, ensuring no willing individual was excluded from registering for the party. The chairmen collaborated with relevant agencies to facilitate the acquisition of these crucial documents for supporters.
Eze officially launched the e-registration in Enugu West Senatorial Zone and urged members to begin the process immediately at their ward levels. He stressed that registration is mandatory for party participation, recognition, and access to opportunities within the APC.
The chairmen of Udi, Aninri, Awgu, Ezeagu, and Oji River LGAs—Hyginus Agu, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, Uchenna Okoko, Dr. Vita Ndu, and Greg Anyaegbudike—each pledged to aggressively mobilize from ward to ward to register over two million members.
Hyginus Agu, Chairman of Udi LGA, linked the registration drive to Governor Peter Mbah's performance. "The truth is that our governor has done so well. We have multiple projects in every political ward. The people are happy, and as far as they are concerned, Governor Mbah is their political party. He has chosen APC, and the people stand solidly with him and our dear President," Agu stated.
