Abia APC Inaugurates Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Council, Pledges 70% Votes in 2027

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has inaugurated its Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring its readiness to mobilise massive support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The inauguration, held on Thursday at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, attracted prominent party leaders, political officeholders, candidates and stakeholders from the three senatorial districts.

Among those in attendance were the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; APC governorship candidate, Chief Eric Opah; Abia Central senatorial candidate, Emeka Atuma; and Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency candidate, Chief Uzoma Ihuka.

Speaking at the event, the party’s State Deputy Chairman, Chinedu Ihesiulo, declared that the APC had become stronger and better positioned to compete in the forthcoming elections. He praised Kalu for his contributions to rebuilding and strengthening the party’s structure across the state.

In his keynote address, Dr. Philip Nto urged party members to reflect on the APC’s political journey in Abia, attributing its growing influence to the emergence of Kalu as Deputy Speaker. He claimed that Kalu had attracted about 70 per cent of the party’s current membership and facilitated the establishment of two federal institutions and the South East Development Commission in the state.

Nto also highlighted what he described as the Tinubu administration’s contributions to the South East, including strategic federal appointments, the establishment of an Air Force Base in Abia and ongoing federal road projects being supervised by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi.

He further defended the administration’s economic policies, including fuel subsidy removal, naira flotation, tax reforms and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND, arguing that the student loan initiative had helped reduce the financial pressure of education on families.

Questioning why Abia residents would not support Tinubu’s re-election in view of these interventions, Nto promised that the state would deliver 70 per cent of its votes to the President in 2027.

Representatives of the three senatorial districts also expressed confidence in the party’s electoral prospects. Speaking for Abia North, Madukwe Ukaegbu called on the other zones to emulate the political mobilisation in his district, where he said party leaders were committed to returning Kalu, Senator Orji Kalu and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, alongside other APC candidates.

Chief Henry Ikoh, representing Abia Central, insisted that the party must translate its declarations into electoral results, describing Tinubu as deserving of another term. Dr. Nyerere Ayim, who spoke for Abia South, equally pledged a decisive victory for the President, recalling the party’s growth in the zone since 2013.

The APC Woman Leader, Deaconess Cecilia Erondu, assured that women would mobilise massively for Tinubu and other party candidates, while the State Youth Leader, Chief Okey Gberemako, expressed confidence in the support of young people across Abia and the South East.

In a notable political development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate, Abraham Amah, openly declared support for Tinubu’s re-election, stressing the importance of cooperation beyond party boundaries.

Other speakers, including Bende South lawmaker Emmanuel Ndubuisi and Aba North/South Federal Constituency candidate Uzo Azubuike, also pledged grassroots mobilisation to secure victory for the APC.

Atuma described Tinubu as a courageous leader, citing the removal of fuel subsidy, federal interventions in Abia and refunds made to the state for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government. He declared the President’s re-election non-negotiable and assured that Abia Central would deliver its votes by noon on election day.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment and APC candidate for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, expressed confidence in Tinubu’s victory, pledging to work towards the success of the President and all APC candidates in 2027.