APC Vows to Counter Peter Obi's Southern Influence for 2027
Ben Nwoye, newly elected Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC, declared the party's readiness to counter Peter Obi's influence in the South ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking after the APC's recent national convention, Nwoye highlighted Obi's significant performance in the 2023 presidential race as a key challenge.
In 2023, Obi ran under the Labour Party, winning nine Southern states and securing 25.4% of the national vote (6,101,533 votes). His impact was particularly strong in the South-East, where his 'Obidient movement' captured 2 of 3 Senate seats, 15 of 24 House of Assembly seats, and 7 of 8 House of Representatives seats. Obi also made inroads in Lagos, Delta, and Edo states.
Nwoye stressed that the South will be the decisive battleground in 2027, noting that multiple Southern figures—including Obi (now with the ADC and seeking its nomination), Rotimi Amaechi, and others—are positioning themselves. 'We are going to fight through the system, we are going to make sure we get as much as possible to win,' Nwoye said, adding that every vote will count.
The APC's National Working Committee, elected via consensus at the convention, includes Nentawe Yilwatda as National Chairman and Surajudeen Basiru as Secretary.
With Obi's ADC platform and established grassroots movement, will Southern voters prioritize regional representation over party affiliation in 2027? How should political parties tailor their strategies to address regional aspirations while maintaining national cohesion?