The All Progressives Congress (APC) has witnessed a significant surge in activity as prominent figures begin to solidify their aspirations for the 2027 gubernatorial elections. On Tuesday, both Pastor Tonye Cole of Rivers State and Mr Mascot Uzor Kalu of Abia State formally obtained their Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, each valued at ₦50 million.
In Rivers State, Pastor Tonye Cole, the APC’s standard-bearer in the 2019 and 2023 cycles, has once again signalled his resolve to lead the oil-rich state. Despite previous electoral setbacks against the incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the current Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Mr Cole remains a pivotal figure in the party’s quest to reclaim the state.
This forthcoming primary season promises a spirited internal contest, as Mr Cole is set to challenge the incumbent, Governor Fubara. The Governor, meanwhile, is expected to seek a second term under the banner of his current administration, maintaining his residence at the Government House despite a tenure marked by significant internal and external political skirmishes.
Simultaneously, the quest for the Abia State Government House has gained fresh impetus with the entry of Mr Mascot Uzor Kalu into the race. Mr Kalu, the brother of the distinguished Senator representing Abia North and former two-term Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, successfully secured his nomination forms on Tuesday.
The move sets the stage for a high-stakes confrontation with the incumbent Governor, Alex Otti, in 2027. Governor Otti has notably distinguished himself as one of the few sub-national leaders to resist the prevailing trend of defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress, choosing instead to remain steadfast with the party upon whose platform he was elected.
The ₦50 million price tag for the nomination forms underscores the high stakes of the upcoming electoral cycle. As the APC seeks to expand its footprint across the Niger Delta and the South-East, the emergence of such seasoned contenders suggests a period of intense political realignment.
Whilst the incumbents in both Rivers and Abia states prepare to defend their records, the formal entry of Pastor Cole and Mr Kalu ensures that the road to 2027 will be defined by vigorous debate and formidable competition.
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