—Akume, govs adopt President as sole candidate
—S’West re-elects Kekemeke, vows bloc votes
—Arodiogbu returns in S’East as Mbah hails unity
—Giadom leads S-South as Akpabio, govs hail exercise
By Clifford Ndujihe, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Omeiza Ajayi, Dennis Agbo, Ben Ngwakwe, & Rotimi Ojo
THE All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, moved to consolidate its 2027 electoral push as key party organs across the six geopolitical zones held largely hitch-free congresses, re-electing zonal leaders and closing ranks behind President BolaTinubu.
In a major political signal, the North-Central zone formally adopted President Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election, while other zones echoed unity and readiness to deliver bloc votes.
N’Central adopts Tinubu as sole candidate
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator GeorgeAkume, led North-Central stakeholders to endorse President Tinubu a tthe zonal congress in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The motion, seconded by Governor Abdullahi Sule, was unanimously adopted by governors, ministers and party chieftains.
Akume described the zone as the “glue” of Nigeria and expressed confidence in its electoral strength.
“Nigeria is moving towards another election cycle; with the calibre of politicians and grassroots leaders I have seen here, I have no doubt that when votes are counted in 2027, the North-Central will deliver the highest number of votes,” he said.
He, however, warned against complacency, urging party leaders and stalwarts: “Do not sleep; you must toil and sweat as if we control only 10 states, so that our victory will be huge and indisputable. On the economy, he cited improving indicators, including foreign reserves.
Governor Sule, in his remarks, linked state-level development to federal reforms, saying “as a result of these reforms, some of us are carrying out projects without borrowing a penny,’’ while seconding the motion for the President’s adoption.
S’West re-elects Kekemeke, pledges massive votes
In Lagos, the South-West APC re-elected Dr. Isaacs Kekemeke as zonal chairman through consensus at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, with 3,188 delegates in attendance. Other executives also emerged by affirmation.
Kekemeke, who assured of improved performance and electoral victories across the zone, said: “We will do much better than we did in the past four years… Our duty as Southwest is to make sure we give overwhelming victory and support to our President.’’
He also projected victories in Ekiti and Osun as a springboard for Tinubu’s re-election.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the congress as peaceful and credible, saying “we have seen the conduct of a free and fair election… With this congress, we have shown that the Southwest is united and a formidable region.”
Sanwo-Olu charged the newly elected zonal executives to adopt a forward-looking approach in their leadership, stressing the importance of unity and strategic planning in strengthening the party’s dominance in the region.
He particularly urged party leaders to build a formidable structure capable of delivering victory for President Tinubu in the 2027presidential election, noting that the Southwest remained a critical stronghold for the APC and must continue to set the pace in political organisation and governance.
Those elected at the congress included Dr. Isaac Kekemeke (Chairman); Alfred Aluko (Secretary); Ismail Majaro (Legal Adviser); Lateef Ibirogba (Organising Secretary); Ayobami Afolabi (Publicity Secretary); Mrs. Yetunde Adesanya (WomanLeader); Barr. Daramola Adesuyi (Youth Leader), and Dayo Ishola (Representative for Persons Living with Disabilities).
APC dignitaries at the event included Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti); Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo); Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; and Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.
Others are former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Lagos Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC Chairman, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi; Senator Tokunbo Abiru; Senator Olurunibe Mamora; Senator Ayo Arise, Ekiti; Senator Iyabo Obasanjo; Fatimo Raji Rasaki, Ekiti State, wife of former governor Lagos State, among others.
S’East re-elects Arodiogbu, Mbah hails unity
In Enugu, the South-East APC re-elected Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu as National Vice Chairman, alongside other executives through consensus.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu,said the process reflected collective party will.
“When a motion is moved and adopted, it reflects the collective will of the leadershipand members of our party,” he said.
In a remark, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State described the development as a strong indication of the APC’s growing influence in the South-East.
“This is a testament to the fact that APC is firmly rooted inthe South-East. The party has continued to grow stronger through the dedication of its leaders and members,” he said.
Mbah commended the efforts of the zonal leadership, national working committee members, and governors from the region for strengthening the party’s structure.
He also congratulated party officials who emerged from previous congresses at ward, local government and state levels, urging unity ahead of the national convention.
The governor appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his reform initiatives, noting that they had placed Nigeria on the path of economic growth.
Speaking, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State said the consensus arrangement was in line with the party’s constitution and demonstrated internal party cohesion.
Other members of the newly-elected zonal executive included: Chief Innocent Itapi, Zonal Secretary; and Chief Ernest Ogbonna, LegalSecretary; Mr Henry Onwughaluonye, Publicity Secretary; Mr ChimaOgbonnaya, Youth Leader; Dr Stanley Nwachukwu, Leader of Persons withDisabilities (PWD); and Dr Oby Aji, Women Leader.
S-South re-elects Giadom, targets top vote delivery
In Asaba, Delta State, the South-South APC re-elected Chief Victor Giadom as National Vice Chairman, alongside other zonal officers, via consensus.
Other officers elected were Dr. Ita Udosen, Zonal Secretary; Barr. Neworld Safugha, Legal Adviser; Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, Publicity Secretary; Prince Urhoro Koyoyo, Youth Leader, Suobankuo Omoni; Women Leader; Prince Edward, Organising Secretary; and Prince Ayo Peter as representative of Persons with Disabilities.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, conveyed the goodwill of President Tinubu and commended the South-South for its growing unity and political consolidation within the APC.
He noted that the region had witnessed remarkable transformation, moving from minimal APC presence to becoming a strong political bloc with increased alignment from governors and stakeholders.
Akpabio challenged party faithful to position the South-South as the highest vote-delivering region for the APC in the2027 general elections, stressing that such a goal was both achievable and necessary.
Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, in his goodwill message, welcomed delegates to Asaba and described the congress as a demonstration of the party’s strength, unity, and readiness for future political engagements.
Oborevwori emphasised the need for sustained grassroots mobilisation and urged party members to deepen internal cohesion, strengthen structures across all levels and maintain strong connections with the people.
Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, also underscored the importance of unity, describing the adoption of consensus as a major step in reducing internal conflicts.
Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), in their separate remarks, spoke in the same vein, stressing the importance of the zone aligning with the government at the centre.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Victor Giadom thanked party leaders and stakeholders for their support during his tenure and highlighted the progress made by the APC in the region, including electoral victories and increased political alignment.
North-East APC adopts consensus to elect zonal leaders in Gombe
The North-East chapter of the party also adopted a consensus arrangement for the election of its zonal leaders at the party’s congress held in Gombe State.
The congress attracted governors, lawmakers, party executives, and key stakeholders from across the region, underscoring the zone’s strategic importance within the party.
Addressing delegates, Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State and North-East APC Coordinator, described the exercise as a constitutional process designed to strengthen internal cohesion and leadership.
He said the congress was in line with party guidelines for the periodic election of officials, adding that the APC remains committed to upholding democratic principles.