Abia APC Inaugurates Tinubu Campaign Council, Pledges Massive Votes In 2027

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated its Presidential Campaign Council for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027, with party leaders pledging massive votes for the President and promising an aggressive grassroots mobilisation campaign across the state.

This is as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, charged members of the newly inaugurated Abia State All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to intensify grassroots mobilisation and take the message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to every ward, village and community across the state.

Kalu gave the charge on Thursday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, during the inauguration of the Abia State Presidential Campaign Council for the re-election of President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 general elections.

Addressing party leaders, stakeholders and members of the newly inaugurated council, the Deputy Speaker urged them to move beyond political sentiments and embrace strategic alliances, insisting that the political advancement of the South-East depended on building mutually beneficial relationships with other regions of the country.

He argued that Ndigbo had demonstrated considerable strategic capacity in business and economic activities, particularly in rebuilding the region after the Nigerian Civil War, but had yet to apply the same approach consistently to their political engagements.

According to him, political sentiment does not advance participation, political relevance or the delivery of democratic dividends.

Kalu maintained that the South-East must abandon the mentality of political isolation and embrace partnerships across the Niger, stressing that strategic political calculations would give the region greater opportunities to participate in national leadership.

He cited the political experience of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that broader political alliances were necessary to achieve national political objectives.

The Deputy Speaker also cautioned against deliberately wasting votes in the name of political loyalty or sentiment, describing votes as an investment that should translate into meaningful political participation and representation.

He identified President Tinubu’s political platform as the vehicle through which, in his view, Ndigbo could pursue a strategic partnership ahead of 2027.

Kalu further urged members of the campaign council not to confine their activities to Umuahia but to take the campaign to the grassroots and engage directly with the electorate.

He said democracy imposed an obligation on political leaders to give an account of their stewardship and seek the people’s mandate for the future, adding that every political office must be connected to the development and progress of the country.

Quoting President Tinubu’s remarks on the honour of serving one’s country, Kalu described membership of the campaign council as a call to public service at a defining moment in Nigeria’s history.

He urged the members to communicate the administration’s achievements to the people, defend its policies and explain why they believe the President deserves another term.

The Deputy Speaker also called on the campaign council to ensure that Abia’s votes count in the 2027 elections, expressing confidence in the ability of its members to deliver on the assignment.

Abia APC Targets 75 Per Cent Votes, Seeks Ministerial Representation

Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated council, the Abia State APC Chairman and Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, pledged that the party would work towards securing at least 75 per cent of the votes cast in Abia State for President Tinubu in 2027.

Chukwu, who declared that the APC in the state had overcome its internal divisions, said the party was now united and prepared to work collectively towards electoral success.

He commended Kalu for his role in bringing party members and stakeholders together, expressing optimism that the renewed unity would strengthen the party’s mobilisation efforts.

Describing President Tinubu’s performance as commendable, the APC chairman rejected projections that the President could secure only 25 per cent of the votes in Abia, insisting that the party would work towards a significantly higher percentage.

He, however, acknowledged that the task before the campaign council was enormous and called on members to remain committed to grassroots mobilisation and collective action.

Chukwu also appealed to President Tinubu to address what he described as the underrepresentation of Abia State in the Federal Executive Council, noting that the state’s ministerial position remained vacant.

He equally expressed concern over the reported replacement of an initially appointed APC member representing Abia State on the Federal Character Commission with a non-party member.

The APC chairman appealed to the President to review the situation, arguing that party members in Abia who were making efforts to secure his re-election deserved recognition and consideration in federal appointments.

Opah Promises Massive Votes, Cites Federal Projects And Policies

The APC governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Eric Opah, also assured the gathering that the state would deliver massive support for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Opah attributed his confidence to the party’s membership strength, which he put at over 100,000 registered members in Abia State, declaring that the party would mobilise its structures to translate the figure into votes.

He also disclosed that the APC had built a coalition with members of other political parties who, according to him, had expressed willingness to support the President’s re-election.

Highlighting some of the administration’s interventions which he said should attract support from Abians, Opah mentioned the ongoing attention to the Port Harcourt-Enugu Expressway, which he described as previously notorious for accidents and security challenges.

He also cited the 188-megawatt power plant in Abia, which he credited to the support of the Tinubu administration in addressing longstanding challenges surrounding the project.

On economic policies, the APC governorship candidate commended the new tax laws, arguing that they would eliminate multiple tax burdens on traders and provide a more streamlined tax system for businesses.

He also listed the student loan scheme among the policies of the administration that he said deserved consideration.

Opah assured party leaders that all APC structures and units in Abia would work together to mobilise support for President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in 2027.

He congratulated members of the campaign council, describing them as eminent personalities whose experience and contributions would be required to accomplish the assignment.

Former Minister Ikoh Calls For Commitment To APC Candidates

A former Minister of State for Science Technology and Innovation · Federal Republic of Nigeria and APC governorship aspirant in the 2027 election, Chief Henry Ikoh, also expressed support for President Tinubu’s re-election, urging party leaders to demonstrate commitment to the candidates of the party at all levels.

Ikoh who spoke on behalf of Abia Central, said the achievements of the Tinubu administration, as highlighted by the keynote speaker at the event, provided reasons for the party to seek another presidential mandate.

He particularly urged political leaders to lead by example, remain dedicated to the party’s candidates and ensure that their public declarations were matched with practical actions.

The former minister stressed the importance of collective responsibility, noting that the success of the party depended on the willingness of its leaders and members to support one another and work towards shared political objectives.

He reaffirmed his pride in the APC and called for greater commitment among stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.

Abia PDP Declares Support For Tinubu, Demands Equity And Reciprocity

In a significant political development at the event, the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formally declared support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, while calling for equity, fairness and reciprocity in political engagements within the state.

Speaking on behalf of the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, and the leadership and membership of the party in Abia, the State Chairman and Deputy Governorship Candidate, Elder Amah Abraham, said the decision was taken in the broader interest of the state.

Amah explained that the PDP’s support for the President’s second-term ambition was being pursued under the National Rainbow Coalition initiative championed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.

He said the initiative provided an opportunity for political stakeholders across party lines to build alliances and cooperate on issues of common interest, adding that the PDP believed the interests of Abia State should take precedence over partisan differences.

However, the PDP chairman emphasised that the party’s support for Tinubu at the presidential level should be anchored on mutual respect, equity, fairness and reciprocity.

He called on the APC leadership and stakeholders in Abia to reciprocate the gesture by supporting a mutually beneficial political arrangement in the state.

Amah clarified that the PDP’s decision to support Tinubu’s re-election should not be interpreted as an abandonment of its political identity or governorship ambition in Abia.

He maintained that the party remained committed to pursuing its interests in the 2027 Abia governorship election while remaining open to genuine collaboration, strategic alliances and coalition arrangements.

The PDP chairman also expressed confidence in the National Rainbow Coalition initiative, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen political cooperation and accommodate the interests of different political stakeholders.

Abia North, South Pledge Support

Speaking as representatives of Abia North and Abia South respectively, Maduka Ukaegbu and Dr. Nyerere Anyim also pledged the commitment of their respective zones towards securing President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

They assured the gathering of their readiness to mobilise support across their political constituencies, adding their voices to calls for collective action towards the President’s second-term ambition.

The inauguration brought together APC leaders, political officeholders, former government officials, candidates, party stakeholders and members of the PDP who expressed support for the President’s re-election.

The various speakers called for greater political cooperation, grassroots mobilisation and commitment among party stakeholders as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.