Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the south-east have endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, pledging to mobilise bloc votes across the region for the ruling party in the 2027 general election.

Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, alongside Peter Mbah of Enugu and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, led the endorsement.

“What could be more momentous than a motion that heralds the adoption of President Tinubu as the consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, given the growth and stability our economy has witnessed under the Renewed Hope administration, which has in turn stimulated progressive expansion across other critical sectors,” Uzodimma said.

The endorsement was announced at the south-east APC stakeholders’ meeting tagged ‘Izu Umunna’ in Enugu.

Party leaders, lawmakers, and elders from the zone resolved to fully align with the ruling party at the centre.

They described the decision as a shift towards pragmatic and interest-driven politics.

In a statement by the media office of the Enugu governor, the leaders said they would resist the balkanisation of the region’s votes by individual ambitions.

They warned that such actions had historically weakened the south-east’s bargaining power at the national level.

Uzodimma, chairman of the South-East governors’ forum, said the region could no longer afford political isolation.

He said Tinubu had placed faith in the south-east ahead of 2027.

“Politics is pay as you earn,” Uzodimma said.

“No zone can produce a president alone. If we continue to vote provincially, we will remain on the sidelines of national power.”

Uzodimma recalled that the zone contributed about six per cent of votes to the APC in the 2023 presidential election.

He said the figure weakened the region’s influence compared with other zones that delivered between 34 and 54 per cent of votes.

The Imo governor said the APC now controls three of the five south-east states.

He said the party’s representation in the Senate has increased from six to eight seats.

Uzodimma added that the APC’s seats in the House of Representatives in the region have grown from eight to 23.

“These numbers give us hope, but they also give us a challenge. The growth among leaders must reflect at the ballot box in 2027,” he said.

Mbah described the endorsement as a “paradigm shift grounded in pragmatism”.

He said the decision was driven by tangible gains accruing to the region through alignment with the federal government.

Mbah cited the revival of the eastern railway corridor, gas and energy projects, and the concession of the Enugu airport.

He said the interventions would position Enugu as an international gateway to the south-east.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is beyond a political slogan,” Mbah said.

“It is about aligning vision at the centre with delivery at the states.”

Nwifuru expressed confidence that all South-East governors would be APC members by 2027.

He urged party leaders to embrace reconciliation and manage the influx of new members effectively.

A motion endorsing Tinubu for a second term was moved by Pius Anyim, former Senate president.

The motion was seconded by Ken Nnamani, another former Senate president.

“If you cry in the rain, nobody notices you. If you want to avoid the rain, you must stand under a shelter,” Nnamani said.

At the end of the meeting, a communiqué signed by governors and stakeholders declared Tinubu the APC’s sole presidential candidate for 2027.

The communiqué rejected what it described as ego-driven and divisive politics.

Leaders pledged to deploy human, material and political resources to deliver bloc votes for Tinubu across the five south-east states.

Other attendees included Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Ikedi Ohakim, senators, lawmakers and party elders from the zone.

Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebu land, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, has written Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, alleging that he is being excluded from the ongoing selection process for the next Awujale of Ijebu land.

Ayinde claimed that the Fusengbuwa ruling house, next in line to produce the Awujale, has been issuing directives that contravene the Chieftaincy Declaration, Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State.

He alleged that these measures are intended to disenfranchise him from contesting for the throne.

The allegations were contained in a letter dated January 8, 2026, sent to Governor Abiodun by Ayinde’s lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN.

The selection of the new Awujale has reportedly attracted over 60 contestants, with Ayinde—popularly called KWAM1—also declaring his interest.

The Fusengbuwa family, the ruling house responsible for producing the next Awujale, has previously stated that Ayinde is not a member of their family and, therefore, ineligible to participate in the selection process.

Ayinde had earlier approached the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu Ode seeking an interim injunction to stop Abiodun and six others from proceeding with the selection.

The court refused the request, ruling that the application lacked merit.

The musician subsequently withdrew the suit, without providing a tangible reason.

In the recent letter to Abiodun, Ayinde said that the Ijebu Ode Local Government, through a letter dated January 6, 2026, from its Secretary, Oke Adebanjo, gave the government’s nod for the ruling house to commence the selection process.

He expressed surprise that while family members were preparing for the meeting, one Prince Adeleye Lateef Ademuyiwa, the family’s Public Relations Officer, issued a notice directing candidates to collect nomination cards and appear before a screening committee chaired by Prince Alhaji Mitiu Adenuga.

Ayinde added that the directive scheduled the nomination exercise for Monday, January 12, 2026, but also stated that the process would be carried out by delegates to be selected at a meeting held on January 10, 2026.

The letter read, “It is a matter of deep concern to our client that all these directives, which contravene the Chieftaincy Declaration, Obas and Chiefs Law, and the letter from the Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, were included in the family’s letter dated January 6, 2026.

“It is clear that there are plans by the leadership of the ruling house to disenfranchise members desirous of participating in the nomination of candidates for the Awujale stool.

“We wish to emphasize that all members of the ruling house are entitled to attend the meeting to nominate candidates of their choice.

“A group of people in the ruling house cannot usurp these rights. The directive providing for screening and nomination by delegates is inconsistent with both the spirit and letter of the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021.

“In the interest of justice and compliance with due process, we urge timely intervention to address these concerns, ensuring the integrity of the process and protecting our client’s rights.”

The Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Prof. Fassy Yusuf, confirmed receiving the letter but dismissed it as “arrant nonsense” with no bearing on the selection process.

Speaking on Sunday, Yusuf said, “It is a misguided letter. Either Wahab Shittu is being misled, or Wasiu Ayinde is being misled. The letter was directed to the government, which will respond appropriately.

“The issue being raised about screening is illogical. We have over 20,000 members in the ruling house—how does he expect us to manage the crowd?”

The family has scheduled the nomination meeting for Monday, January 12, 2026, for those contesting the vacant stool.

The Awujale stool became vacant in July 2025 following the death of 91-year-old Oba Sikiru Adetona, who reigned for 65 years.

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Ogun State Government proved abortive, as the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Governor Abiodun, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, had not responded to enquiries at the time of publication.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has insisted that political power is earned through strength and strategic action, warning that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area remains a decisive force in Rivers State politics.

Wike also dismissed calls for his removal, stressing that the power to sack him lies solely with the President.

Wike spoke on Sunday during a thank-you visit to Obio/Akpor, where he addressed party leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youths.

The minister has been touring the state’s 23 local government areas to appreciate residents for their support in the 2023 elections and to canvass continued backing for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.

Addressing the gathering, Wike stressed that politics should be guided by interest, not sentiment.

“There is no sentiment, there is no emotion. Politics is an interest; the interest of your people. Power is not given; we struggle for it. After all, if Donald Trump did not have power, would he go to Venezuela to pick a president? He wouldn’t. Because he has power, that’s why he can act,” Wike said.

“So for the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes governor. All these people commenting from the sidelines, ask them if their local government, which produced only 5,000 votes, can challenge one that produced 40 per cent of the votes? Let us see how it will work.

“We will use our strength to punish them. Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpor making the pronouncement. Nobody has become the senator of Rivers East without Obio/Akpor deciding. So, if you like abusing us, after abusing us, come and look for the votes—and we will punish you with the votes.”

The former Rivers State governor also dismissed calls for his removal from office, stressing that such decisions rest solely with the President.

“Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him.’ If my appointor believes I cannot offer anything again, he has the right, not that you should tell him. I am proud that the people of Obio/Akpor, the people of Rivers State, and Nigerians know we have not disappointed them in the FCT,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Gift Worlu, praised Wike’s political influence, describing him as a major asset to the council, the state, and the nation. He commended Wike’s performance across various offices, including chairman, chief of staff, governor, and minister, and stressed the council’s loyalty to his leadership.

“When it comes to who should be President of Nigeria in 2027, we know where to go. As for the governorship of Rivers State, we know where not to go. We will not go the way of ingratitude, disappointment, or disloyalty,” Worlu said.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, reaffirmed the legislature’s support for Wike and President Tinubu.

“On behalf of the RSHA, we assure you of our prayers and support as you continue to support Mr President. Don’t bother about detractors. The real people of Nigeria know your worth. They know you are helping the President deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Amaewhule said.

The visit comes against the backdrop of renewed political tension in Rivers State. On Thursday, the Rivers Assembly, led by Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct.

The Majority Leader, Major Jack, presented a notice signed by 26 lawmakers citing alleged charges, including extra-budgetary spending of over N800 billion without legislative approval, withholding funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex, and defiance of Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy. A separate notice was also read against the deputy governor for allegedly conniving in unconstitutional expenditures.

Amaewhule announced that the notices would be served within seven days, in line with the Constitution.

The development marks a renewed escalation in the protracted political crisis in Rivers State, stemming from the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike. Previous impeachment attempts in 2023 and 2025 were halted by presidential interventions, and a state of emergency was declared by President Bola Tinubu.