Abia Leaders Pledge Ndi Igbo Support for Tinubu in 2027

By Oluwakemi Kindness

Abia State leaders have assured President Bola Tinubu of the support of Ndi Igbo in the 2027 general elections, saying the region is ready to correct past political mistakes by strategically aligning with the ruling administration.

The assurance was given during a New Year visit by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Chris Adighije, in Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State.

Speaking on behalf of the Olokoro clan, Adighije said the message of goodwill from President Tinubu has resonated across the community, noting that the clan, which comprises 17 autonomous communities and four major electoral wards, was prepared to support the President’s development agenda.

“We got it wrong last time and we should not repeat the same mistake,” Adighije said, pledging the backing of the Olokoro people for Tinubu’s administration.

In his remarks, Kalu urged Ndi Igbo to adopt a more strategic approach to national politics by supporting President Tinubu ahead of 2027, describing votes as the “currency” of democracy.

“It is time we started investing our votes and not wasting them. The way we earn dividends in democracy is through the number of votes we deploy,” the Deputy Speaker said.

A statement on Wednesday by Levinus Nwabughiogu, CPS to Kalu quotes him as calling for stronger political cooperation between the South-East and the South-West, stressing that supporting Tinubu, as the leading political figure in the southern corridor, would position Ndi Igbo to negotiate better political outcomes in the future.

“Let us sow now so that we can reap tomorrow. If we fail to build alliances today, it will be difficult to demand returns when our turn comes,” Kalu added.

During a separate New Year visit, a former Abia State House of Assembly member, Chukwudi Apugo, commended Kalu’s legislative contributions, particularly his role in the establishment of the South East Development Commission, which he said had positively impacted the region.

Apugo pledged his support for the Deputy Speaker, urging him to remain focused despite political challenges, and praised his efforts at uniting political stakeholders across Abia State.

In response, Kalu invited Apugo to formally join the APC, saying his entry would strengthen the party’s support base in Abia and help reshape the state’s political narrative.

The engagements underscore renewed efforts by APC leaders to consolidate support for President Tinubu in the South-East ahead of the 2027 elections.