A high-ranking member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia state, Prince Paul Ikonne, has stated that the South-East region is poised to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Ikonne, who previously served as the executive secretary and CEO of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), made this assertion during an appearance on TVC’s ‘Politics Tonight’ on Tuesday.
According to Ikonne, the influence of key figures such as Governor Alex Otti of Abia State and former presidential candidate Peter Obi is waning. Ikonne noted that Otti’s refusal to follow Obi to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) suggests that he lacks confidence in Obi’s presidential ambitions. Furthermore, Ikonne downplayed Otti’s current relevance, stating that the governor no longer has a viable party to support his political endeavors.
Ikonne estimated that the APC has garnered significant support in the South-East, potentially exceeding 70 percent. He attributed this momentum to the party’s strategic outreach efforts, including Governor Hope Uzodinma’s initiatives to engage with Igbo communities across Nigeria. Ikonne is part of a team tasked with sensitizing Igbo residents in various states about the importance of supporting President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The shifting allegiances of regional leaders, such as Governor Otti’s abandonment of Peter Obi, may indicate a broader trend of southeasterners coalescing around the APC. Ikonne suggested that this realignment is driven by a desire to integrate with the central government and tap into the region’s economic potential. As the 2027 elections approach, the South-East’s evolving political landscape may have significant implications for the country’s governance and power dynamics.
