Zonal executives of the All Progressives Congress emerged yesterday, pledging to mobilise overwhelming votes for President Bola Tinubu to secure a landslide victory in the 2027 election.
The congress was a prelude to the national convention scheduled for March 27 and 28 in Abuja, reports The PUNCH.
Prior to the convention, the president, yesterday evening, returned to Abuja after observing the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations in Lagos.
Tinubu had earlier returned to Nigeria on Friday from the United Kingdom, where he went for a state visit. During his stay in Lagos, he held a series of high-level engagements, receiving 23 governors and also met with business mogul Aliko Dangote, a European Union delegation, and members of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council.
His return to Abuja and the successful conduct of the zonal congresses across the six geopolitical zones of the country signalled that the party was ready for the convention.
At the various zonal congress venues, consensus followed by voice affirmation was adopted as the mode of election, producing excos ranging from re-elected to newly elected members.
Governors, federal and state lawmakers, party chieftains, and stalwarts thronged the congress venues, declaring that Tinubu was poised to implement a coordinated nationwide strategy to secure overwhelming votes for the APC in the next presidential election.
The South-West congress, held at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium with 3,188 delegates, saw Dr Isaacs Kekemeke re-elected as National Vice Chairman (South-West).
Chairman of the Zonal Congress Committee, Jide Jimoh, said the consensus option was adopted in line with the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.
Other exco members who emerged were Femi Aluko (Secretary), Lateef Ibirogba (Organising Secretary), Ayo Afolabi (Publicity Secretary), Adeduyi Daramola (Youth Leader), Ismail Majaro (Legal Adviser), and Dayo Ishola (Representative of People with Disabilities).
Dignitaries at the event included Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo).
Also present were former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Lagos Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa; Osun governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji; state and federal lawmakers; and party stalwarts from across the region.
Speaking on behalf of the South-West APC governors, Sanwo-Olu said, “Today, we have seen the conduct of a free and fair election, following the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act. This congress shows that the South-West is united and a formidable political bloc.”
The National Secretary of the APC, Dr Ajibola Basiru, represented by National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, congratulated the new executives and urged collective efforts to ensure Tinubu records a resounding victory in the South-West in 2027.
In his remarks, Kekemeke expressed confidence in the party’s strength across the six South-West states, promising overwhelming votes for Tinubu in the zone.
The APC zonal chairman also called for massive support for the party’s candidate in the forthcoming Osun governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, urging voters to align with the APC’s progressive vision to unlock opportunities for growth and stability.
He said, “The immediate challenge is that by June, Governor Biodun Oyebanji must return, and by August, Oyebamiji must be in Osun State. With the leadership of our governor, Oyebanji must break the jinx in Ekiti.
“Our duty as South-West is to ensure an overwhelming victory and support for our President, Bola Tinubu.”
The South-South zonal congress, held at the Dome Event Centre, Asaba, Delta State, produced Victor Giadom as chairman.
Other executives elected were Ita Udosen (Secretary), Neworld Safugha (Legal Adviser), Samuel Nwanosike (Publicity Secretary), Urhoro Koyoyo (Youth Leader), Suobankuo Omoni (Women Leader), Prince Edward (Organising Secretary), and Ayo Peter (Representative of Persons with Disabilities).
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, noted the region had witnessed a remarkable transformation, moving from minimal APC presence to a strong political bloc with increasing alignment from governors and stakeholders.
Akpabio challenged party faithful to position the South-South as the highest vote-delivering region for the APC in 2027, stressing that this goal was both achievable and necessary.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emphasised sustained grassroots mobilisation, urging party members to deepen internal cohesion, strengthen structures, and maintain strong connections with the people.
He described the congress as “a demonstration of the party’s strength, unity, and readiness for future political engagements.”
Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, underscored the importance of unity, noting that adopting consensus was a major step in reducing internal conflicts and fostering collective ownership within the party.
He added that, for the first time in recent political history, the South-South was speaking with one voice, with full attendance of governors demonstrating shared commitment to the region’s progress.
Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) stressed the importance of aligning the zone with the Federal Government.
In his acceptance speech, Giadom expressed optimism that the party would continue to expand its influence ahead of the 2027 elections.
Fubara, through Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshia, urged the South-South leadership to work in unity and with a common purpose to deliver optimally for the party, expressing confidence that the new leadership was equal to the task.
The South-East zonal congress saw a new executive led by Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu.
Other members included Innocent Azuoba (Secretary), Rex Ogbonna (Legal Adviser), Henry Onwughalaonye (Publicity Secretary), Chima Ogbonnaya (Youth Leader), Dr Oby Aji (Women Leader), and Arinze Ikedife (Organising Secretary).
Held at Hotel Presidential, Enugu, the congress was attended by Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi).
Speaking at the event, Uzodimma, who chairs the South-East Governors’ Forum, stressed the need for unity.
Nwifuru moved a motion to dissolve the outgoing executive, seconded by Senator Patrick Ndubueze.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, presented the list of consensus candidates, announcing Arodiogbu as vice chairman for the South-East zone.
He also moved motions adopting consensus as the mode of the congress, in line with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act, ratifying outcomes of ward, local government, and state congresses.
Enugu State House of Assembly Speaker, Uchenna Ugwu, seconded the motions, which were approved by delegates.
Mbah described the congress as a demonstration of unity within the South-East APC, saying, “APC in the South-East is solid. Our presence today is proof that APC is South-East, and South-East is APC.”
He also commended President Tinubu for reforms that had placed the country on the path of economic growth.
The congress attracted leaders, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani; Deputy National Chairman (South) Emma Eneukwu; Senators Osita Izunaso, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Uche Ekwunife, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Kelvin Chukwu, and Osita Ngwu; Ministers Nkeiru Onyejeocha and Kingsley Udeh; former minister Chris Ngige; members of the House of Representatives; and other stakeholders.
The North-West APC congress held in Kaduna produced Garba Babao as chairman and National Vice-Chairman of the zone.
Dignitaries at the congress included Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Governors Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Dikko Radda (Katsina), Aliyu Ahmed (Sokoto), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), alongside Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
Governor Sani called for unity among North-West party members, describing the congress as a reflection of the party’s democratic strength and grassroots orientation.
A highlight was the reception of new entrants, particularly Governors Yusuf and Lawal, who were welcomed as significant for the party’s growth.
Sani defended President Tinubu’s reform policies, citing measurable impacts in agriculture, oil and gas, student loans, and infrastructure investments in roads, rail, and energy.
He said security had improved, markets were thriving, and economic confidence was being restored in the North-West.
He urged party members to remain united and disciplined, stressing that the congress was about strengthening unity and aligning strategies.
The North-East zonal congress, held in Gombe, attracted governors, lawmakers, executives, and stakeholders.
The congress saw Mr Idris Shuaibu emerge as the Zonal Vice Chairman and Mr Baba Ali as Zonal Secretary.
Also elected is Mr Tako Dauda as Zonal Legal Adviser; Mr Nitte Amangal as Zonal Publicity Secretary; Mr Joseph Muadali as Zonal Youth Leader.
In addition, Abubakar Musa emerged as Zonal Organising Secretary, Lumbi Abubakar Zonal Women Leader, while Mr Haruna Tata was elected as Zonal Leader for Persons with Disabilities.
Governor of Yobe State and North-East APC Coordinator, Mai Mala Buni, said the zone sustained a culture of internal democracy and peaceful political processes, contributing to the APC’s growth since its formation.
Buni urged adherence to due process, unity, and collective mobilisation ahead of 2027. He expressed support for Tinubu’s administration, particularly efforts to tackle insecurity in the North-East.
Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, called for sustained unity, urging party members to campaign for leaders and secure electoral victory, stressing that the essence of politics is to win elections. He commended the acceptance of the consensus arrangement and the emergence of new leadership.
The North-Central zonal congress, held at the late Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, Government House, Lafia, Nasarawa State, adopted President Tinubu as its sole 2027 presidential candidate.
The motion, moved by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and seconded by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, cited Tinubu’s economic reforms as the reason for support.
APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, represented by Deputy National Secretary, Prof Abdulkarim Kana, commended the zone for its loyalty, describing it as “a bedrock of stability” for the administration.
Former national chairman Abdullahi Adamu expressed satisfaction with adherence to the party constitution.
