Senate President Akpabio Targets Record South-South Voter Turnout for Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Re-election Campaign

Senate President Akpabio moves to secure record 2027 votes for Tinubu, citing new South-South APC unity and the region's strategic political role.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 5:13 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP Media Group

The Strategic Mandate for Regional Dominance

The Nigerian political landscape shifted significantly on Wednesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio issued a direct electoral mandate to the South-South geopolitical zone. During a high-profile All Progressives Congress zonal congress in Asaba, Akpabio urged party faithful to transform the region into the primary engine of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. According to Akpabio, the ambition is not merely to win, but to outpace every other geopolitical zone in Nigeria in terms of raw vote count, a feat he believes is now achievable given the current political alignment.

A Historic Shift in Political Geography

Reflecting on the rapid transformation of the South-South’s political identity, Akpabio noted that the party has moved from a position of relative isolation to total regional control. In 2023, the APC held only a single governorship in the zone, represented by Bassey Otu of Cross River State, yet today, the leadership of all six states has consolidated under the APC umbrella. This consolidation, described by Akpabio as a testament to the steady and focused leadership of Chief Victor Giadom, suggests a fundamental realignment of a region that has historically been a stronghold for opposition interests.

Reciprocity and the Burden of Representation

The Senate President framed the upcoming election as a matter of regional pride and reciprocal loyalty to the federal government. He reminded the assembly that it has been nearly half a century since the South-South last held the Senate Presidency, a position he currently occupies thanks to the recognition afforded by President Tinubu. According to Akpabio, having a brother at the table necessitates a corresponding level of support from the grassroots, arguing that it would be a political failure for the region to benefit from such high-ranking representation and then lag behind in electoral performance.