South-South APC Stakeholders Endorse Tinubu for 2027, Unveil Sole Governorship Candidates

President Bola Tinubu has been adopted as the sole presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections by key South-South stakeholders of the party. This decision was made during a zonal stakeholders meeting held on Saturday in Benin City, the capital of Edo State.

The party also declared its support for the governors of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Edo states, endorsing them as the APC’s sole candidates for their respective governorship contests.

The motion to adopt the meeting’s communique was moved by the Leader of the House of Representatives, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, and seconded by former Edo State Governor and serving senator, Adams Oshiomhole.

Reading the communique, Victor Giadom, the APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), cited President Tinubu’s transformational leadership and development-driven agenda as the primary reason for the zone’s unified support. He praised the President for initiating the South-South Development Commission and fast-tracking the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a strategic infrastructure project aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting the economy in the region.

Giadom also lauded Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for his visible contributions to the development of the FCT and his steadfast support for the Tinubu administration, calling him “a pride of the zone.”

Also, he appealed to Governors Duoye Diri of Bayelsa and Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to align with the APC, describing the party as the driving force of national development.

Also addressing the gathering, acting APC National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Dalori, applauded the South-South leadership for convening the strategic meeting. He officially welcomed Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno into the APC fold and emphasized that the Tinubu administration remains committed to multi-party democracy, contrary to suggestions of a one-party ambition.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio projected a strong future for the party in the South-South, stating that the entire region would soon be under APC control. He further hinted that the governors of Rivers and Bayelsa may soon defect to the party.

Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State expressed optimism about the zone’s trajectory, noting that with President Tinubu’s backing, the South-South is beginning to find its footing in governance and national relevance.

The event witnessed a strong turnout of APC leaders and government officials, including Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bassey Otu (Cross River), and Monday Okpebholo (Edo). Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme. Also in attendance were ministers from the South-South region, federal and state lawmakers, and several political appointees.

Political Implications

The endorsement of President Tinubu and the unilateral backing of incumbent APC governors in the region signals a strategy to consolidate party control ahead of the 2027 general elections. While the move is likely to unify internal party structures across the South-South, it also marks an aggressive push to sway opposition-controlled states like Rivers and Bayelsa.