Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice-President, Stanley Nkwocha, has urged the South-East to reassess its political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections, questioning the long-term implications of a proposed presidential alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Nkwocha argued that the region needed to develop broader political alliances capable of strengthening its influence at the national level rather than relying solely on the voting pattern recorded during the 2023 general election.
He spoke at an All Progressives Congress (APC) sensitisation meeting in Imerienwe Ward 5, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, where he urged residents to support President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima in the next presidential election.
According to Nkwocha, any proposed arrangement involving a one-term presidency should be carefully examined against the South-East’s long-term ambition of producing Nigeria’s president.
He maintained that the region’s comparatively smaller registered voter population made political cooperation with other geopolitical zones essential to building a viable national electoral coalition.
Nkwocha also defended the Tinubu administration’s record in the South-East, citing the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, reconstruction of federal highways, improvements in transportation and other economic investments.
He urged residents to support the APC-led administration in the 2027 elections.
“My boss, Vice President Kashim Shettima, is on the ballot. Please support the Vice President,” he appealed.
The meeting featured declarations of support for the APC by community leaders and political stakeholders, who pledged to strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.
Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Enyinna Onuegbu, highlighted Imerienwe’s history of political organisation, saying the community had traditionally played an important role in electoral contests.
“We used to come to Imerienwe to learn how to play politics,” Onuegbu said.
He also praised Uzodimma’s infrastructure initiatives, particularly improvements at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, which he said had enabled night flight operations.
“Under Governor Hope Uzodimma, aeroplanes now land at the Imo State Airport at night. More good things are coming in the future,” he stated.
Expressing confidence in the party’s mobilisation efforts, Onuegbu declared that “Imerienwe will deliver all APC candidates”.
Chairman of Ndi Nze Ngor-Okpala and Okenze Ngor-Okpala Ggburughuli, Sylvester Obinna, urged residents to deepen their political engagement with the ruling party.
Retired Air Vice Marshal Remigius Ekeh, meanwhile, stressed the importance of strategic thinking and political participation in achieving electoral objectives.
“Politics is both local and strategic. Strategic thinking must be used in order to make a success of our political ambitions,” Ekeh said.
Earlier, Chairman of Umunakara Community, Ifeanyi Nwaiwu, announced that political leaders and supporters from seven villages had resolved to unite under the APC.
The villages are Umuchieze, Umukoha, Umundiukwu, Umunakara, Umunwoko, Umuodu and Umuokoji.
“There is no other party in contention. We are all collapsing our political affiliations into the APC,” Nwaiwu declared.
He assured party leaders that the community would support the mobilisation exercise, adding, “We will not shame you.”
Despite the political declarations, residents used the meeting to present development requests, including the grading of community roads and the installation of 50 additional solar-powered streetlights to improve accessibility, security and economic activities.
Other participants included APC Owerri Zonal Women Leader Tina Okere, APC Ngor Okpala Vice-Chairman Georginia Onuoha, local government party secretary Emmanuel Dubic, youth leader Chinedu Uhuka and Imerienwe Ward 5 Chairman Friday Ole.
The meeting forms part of political mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections, as parties and their supporters seek to strengthen their grassroots structures and build wider electoral alliances.
Leave a comment