By Eteteonline
Prominent Southeast All Progressives Congress leaders have backed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and as the only candidate in the 2027 general election.
Party officials discussed Ndigbo’s stance ahead of the 2027 elections as well as national political developments at the meeting.
They made it clear that they would mobilize a sizable bloc vote for him throughout the zone.
The endorsement was included in a statement released during the Izu Umunne gathering, a meeting of South-East APC leaders, essential stakeholders, and elders, held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Presidential Hotel in Enugu.
As stated in a jointly signed statement read out by the APC National Vice Chairman (South East), Ijeoma Arodiogbu, the leaders noted that the South-East had decided to fully align with the ruling party in the best interests of Ndi Igbo, emphasizing that ego-driven actions and personal ambitions would no longer be permitted to jeopardize the zone’s collective future.
“The people of the South-East categorically dissociate themselves from all activities motivated by the self-serving interests of any individual, however highly placed. The progress of our zone and our great party cannot be achieved through narrow personal ambitions or actions that fracture collective unity,” the communique said.
Citing the need for strategic alignment with the center to achieve better representation, infrastructure, appointments, and development, the leaders proclaimed the APC the most viable political platform for the region.
“We have resolved to support the All Progressives Congress as the most practical party of choice for our people. This decision is anchored on the transformative policies of the APC-led Federal Government and the imperative of strategic alignment to secure our fair share of national resources and development,” they said.
As the most sensible party for our people, we have decided to back the All Progressives Congress. The APC-led Federal Government’s revolutionary policies and the necessity of strategic alignment to ensure our equitable sharing of national resources and development serve as the foundation for this decision, they stated.
As the only presidential contender for the region in 2027, President Tinubu has the total, unwavering, and unalloyed support of the South-East leaders.
“Arising from the foregoing, the South-East declares its unalloyed, total and unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our sole and undisputed presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections,” the statement read.
The statement further stated that “We are convinced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s continued stewardship holds the brightest prospects for accelerated development of our region and the nation as a whole.”
“The political leadership of the South-East has resolved, in the supreme interest of Ndigbo, that never again will we allow personal ego and motivated actions to influence the fate of the zone.
“The Zone would join other zones in supporting the ruling party, wherein our leaders can effectively negotiate better representation and interests of our people,” the statement stated.
Speaking to the audience, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State and chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, stated that President Tinubu has given the South-East the political future of his reelection campaign, calling it both an honor and a responsibility.
Uzodimma stated: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, against all odds, entrusted his political fate in 2027 in the hands of APC South-East. That is a profound statement. On our capacity as leaders of this zone lies the burden of ensuring that the South-East becomes part and parcel of the national equation.”
He urged leaders to take a more national perspective, claiming that the South-East’s little role in the APC’s 2023 presidential victory had diminished the region’s negotiating leverage.
He remarked that “While other zones were busy building national bridges, the South-East chose a strange path. In 2023, other zones gave between 34 and 54 per cent to our candidate, while the South-East gave just six per cent. When you are politically predictable, you are easy to ignore.”
According to Uzodimma, supporting Tinubu’s second term was both necessary and strategically sound. According to him, “President Tinubu is entitled to a second term to complete the work he has started. If we stay firmly with him to complete his eight years, we are building a bridge that our children will cross when it is our turn to aspire to the presidency.”
Speaking as well, Dr. Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu State, characterized the support for Tinubu and the increasing number of politicians from the South-East defecting to the APC as a pragmatic paradigm change.
According to Mbah, “This is not a whimsical decision. It is grounded in facts and in the understanding that success as a region comes from clarity of vision, discipline of strategy, and relentless delivery.”
Citing significant infrastructure developments, he stated that the South-East was already reaping the benefits of alignment with the center.
“The Eastern Rail Line is back on the national map. The Enugu airport concession has positioned Enugu as an international gateway for the South-East. These are not symbolic gestures; they are strategic decisions that show a federal leadership that understands partnership and decentralised execution,” he stated.
Mbah emphasized that the South-East’s period of divided politics was coming to an end.
“In collectively affirming this endorsement, we are saying that the South-East will no longer stand as a divided political unit. This is a moment to think clearly, act strategically, and remain focused on outcomes,” he stated.
Francis Nwifuru, the governor of Ebonyi State, urged leaders to embrace sacrifice and reconciliation while expressing optimism that all South-East governors will eventually join the APC.
Nwifuru said, “Party politics is about give and take. APC is now a large family, and sacrifices must be made. Our responsibility now is not how to build the party again, but how to manage it.”
Former Senate President Pius Anyim officially moved to support President Tinubu, and Senator Ken Nnamani seconded the motion. Nnamani called the choice brave and progressive.
According to Nnamani, talking about marginalization without aligning with the center was like sobbing in the rain; such a person was rarely recognized.
“What we have to do is to go under a shade by aligning with the centre,” he said.
Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Ikedi Ohakim, as well as other party leaders and stakeholders, were among the other notable individuals present at the meeting.
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