A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has said that the South-East leaders have assured him of overwhelming support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, saying that even 90 per cent of the region’s votes may not be considered impressive given recent political realignments.
Ikonne, the immediate past Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), stated that the South-East was fast becoming a one-party region in favour of President Tinubu.
Speaking on TVC’s ‘Politics Tonight’ on Tuesday night, Ikonne dismissed the influence of the Labour Party in the region, claiming that Abia State governor Alex Otti had distanced himself from Labour Party’s former presidential candidate Peter Obi because he believed Obi no longer has strong political prospects.
According to him, Governor Otti has also become politically irrelevant, arguing that the governor lacks a functional party structure to sustain his influence.
Reacting to the recent endorsement of President Tinubu by South-East leaders at an APC meeting in Enugu State, Ikonne said the ruling party’s growing strength in the region makes a 90 per cent vote delivery a realistic expectation.
“I think we have gone beyond seventy per cent. Some believe that with the calibre of people now in the APC in the South-East, 90 per cent will not even be a good result for us, considering the defections and the massive harvest of political actors we are witnessing,” he said.
Ikonne further disclosed that the South-East mobilisation drive is not limited to residents of the region, noting that a team led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, is engaging Igbo communities across the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
“What Governor Hope Uzodinma is doing is not just for South-Easterners living in the South-East. A team has been set up, which I am part of, to go round the states where Igbos reside, to sensitise them on the need to support President Tinubu’s re-election,” he said.
Using Abia State as an example, Ikonne claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has almost collapsed into the APC, adding that this would translate into increased votes for the ruling party.
Commenting on Governor Otti’s political standing, Ikonne said the Abia governor no longer commands influence, alleging inconsistencies in his party affiliation.
“Our governor is minus one. He is still a member of the Labour Party, yet he conducted local government elections using another platform. He has abandoned Peter Obi, and that tells you everything,” he said.
He argued that the South-East can no longer afford political isolation, stressing that alignment with the federal government is necessary for economic and political relevance.
“We are traders and business people. Aligning with the centre helps our businesses. The South-East is no longer willing to isolate itself from governance,” Ikonne added.
The APC chieftain maintained that the South-East is on course to becoming a stronghold of the ruling party, saying recent endorsements signal a major political shift.
Ikonne also downplayed Peter Obi’s political strength ahead of 2027, insisting that endorsements by serving and former governors, ministers and other top political figures have weakened Obi’s influence in the region.
“Politics is about numbers and structure. When leaders who command followership align, the votes follow. This endorsement shows that the South-East has realigned with the centre,” he said.
He further alleged that Obi’s new political platform, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), lacks the structure required to pose a serious challenge in 2027.
Dismissing claims that the APC lacks credibility in the South-East, Ikonne said the party has become the destination of choice for defectors from rival parties.
“The Igbos are not fools. No Igbo man wants to make the same mistake twice,” he said.
Ikonne also dismissed recent criticism of President Tinubu by Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, claiming the lawmaker has lost political relevance and would struggle to secure re-election.
