APC claims growing Southeast support for Tinubu in 2027, citing defections and weakening influence of Peter Obi in the region
Prince Paul Ikonne, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State, has stated that the ruling party is targeting overwhelming electoral dominance in Nigeria’s Southeast ahead of the 2027 general election.
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Ikonne said even 90 per cent of the zone’s votes for President Bola Tinubu would fall short of expectations, arguing that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s influence in the region had waned due to defections and shifting alliances.
Speaking during an interview on TVC’s Politics Tonight, Ikonne described recent endorsements of Tinubu by Southeast political leaders as a sign of a “deeper realignment” in the zone that would shape voting patterns for 2027.
“I think we have gone beyond seventy per cent. Some believe 90 per cent would not be a good result for us, considering the decamping and the harvest of people that we are getting,” he said.
Ikonne revealed that APC’s mobilisation strategy extends beyond the region.
He said Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma is leading efforts to engage Igbo communities across Nigeria, sensitising them on the need to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Using Abia State as a case study, Ikonne claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party had lost much of its structure to APC, marking a return of previously lost votes.
He also criticised Abia Governor Alex Otti for conducting local government elections under the Zenith Labour Party instead of following Peter Obi, describing Otti as politically isolated.
“The Southeast has learnt hard lessons and now recognises the value of aligning with the federal government to protect economic and political interests,” Ikonne added.
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He said growing support for Tinubu among serving and former governors, lawmakers, and party leaders had weakened Obi’s prospects, while internal challenges within the African Democratic Congress further reduce the opposition’s chances in 2027.
