Abia PDP endorses Tinubu for 2027 as APC launches state campaign council

The Abia State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officially endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its nominee for the 2027 presidential contest. This declaration was made simultaneous with the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council in the state, which took place on Thursday in Umuahia. The move signals a significant political realignment in the South-East, where the PDP has traditionally held strong ground, as the two major parties appear to be forging a coalition for the upcoming national polls.

During the event, Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, inaugurated the 618-member state campaign council. Kalu characterized the event as a summons to civic responsibility and a pivotal juncture for the nation. He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to complete his eight-year tenure and finish the reforms he has initiated. Kalu emphasized the strategic importance of the South-East region, urging political stakeholders to unite across party lines to ensure relevance and progress, warning that miscalculations could lead to regression. He characterized the President as a platform for sustaining the influence of the Ndigbo people.

Representing the PDP, Elder Amah Abraham, the state chairman and deputy governorship candidate, announced the party’s support for Tinubu’s re-election under the National Rainbow Coalition initiative. Amah clarified that this endorsement does not signify an abandonment of the PDP’s ambition to win the 2027 Abia State governorship election. He explained that the choice stems from a dedication to political collaboration and the conviction that the wider welfare of Abia State must outweigh factional disputes. However, Amah stressed that this cooperation must be based on equity, fairness, and mutual respect. He explicitly requested that the APC leadership reciprocate the PDP’s support by backing a mutually beneficial political arrangement that accommodates PDP interests and aspirations within the state.

Background

The political dynamics in Abia State have been marked by internal party struggles and competition for federal appointments. Chijioke Chukwu, the APC state chairman and coordinator of the campaign council, noted that party members had previously engaged in internal conflicts but are now united for a common purpose. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the chance to contribute and urged the head of state to leverage his standing to resolve the absence in the Federal Executive Council created when Nkeiruka Onyejeocha stepped down from his ministerial role. Chukwu appealed for the position to be filled by a bona fide APC member, describing the current situation regarding the Federal Character Commission slot as an embarrassment to the party.

The National Rainbow Coalition, championed by Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is cited by PDP leaders as the framework for this alliance. Amah acknowledged Wike as a national leader of the PDP and described the initiative as an opportunity to build political bridges and facilitate alliances across party lines. The PDP’s position, signed by Amah, was issued on behalf of the party’s leadership and its governorship candidate, Dr Kelechi Anosike.

Why it matters

This cross-party endorsement is significant for the 2027 electoral landscape in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East region. For the PDP, the move aims to secure federal appointments and political influence in Abia State in exchange for presidential support. Amah indicated that the partnership would enhance what the PDP could secure in the state and make it easier for the President to secure appointments for state leaders. For the APC, the support from the PDP in a PDP stronghold could bolster President Tinubu’s chances of winning a second term. The coalition also aims to reduce political friction in the state, with Chukwu emphasizing the need for unity to deliver the President in the 2027 election, thereby increasing the state’s bargaining power at the federal level.

What happens next

The immediate next step involves the operationalization of the 618-member campaign council in Abia State to mobilize support for President Tinubu. Leaders from the APC and PDP are anticipated to discuss the precise conditions of the advantageous political deal referenced by Amah, which probably encompasses factors related to the 2027 gubernatorial election and national-level nominations. The resolution of the vacant ministerial position in the Federal Executive Council is also a pending matter that the state APC leadership has highlighted to the President.