Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) plan to secure all six states in the South-South geopolitical zone during the 2027 general elections.
The APC currently governs Edo and Cross River states, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governs Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta.
Speaking over the weekend when he received Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, at his residence in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, Akpabio highlighted the strategic importance of aligning the South-South region with the ruling party.
He stated that his defection to the APC was aimed at ensuring the region’s inclusion at the national level and increasing its influence in the country’s political decisions.
Akpabio expressed confidence that the APC is well-positioned to expand its control in the region, citing favourable political dynamics and plans to drive development across the South-South under its leadership.
He also described Okpebholo’s recent election as Edo State governor as a pivotal moment, referring to it as a divine mandate that would bring significant relief to the state.
“Under the APC administration, many of us decided there was a need for us to change the political basket to enable us to represent our people at the national level and also have a say in what was going on in the country.
“So, when I made that strong movement to the APC, it was to move our people in the South-South region to the centre,” Akpabio said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mr Anietie Ekong.
“With the current political permutations, going by all available indices, the ruling APC is poised to bring more states into its fold,” he added.
Governor Okpebholo, in turn, acknowledged the development strides in Akwa Ibom and sought Akpabio’s guidance to replicate similar progress in Edo.
He said, “Seeing the development in Akwa Ibom, I have come to learn from my leader, seek his advice and draw from his wealth of experience. He has graciously advised me.”
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