Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South geopolitical zone have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and four sitting governors as sole candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was made during a high-level party meeting held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The gathering was attended by prominent APC figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, APC Acting National Chairman Ali Dalori, National Vice-Chairman Victor Giadom, and governors from the region.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Keyamo, the stakeholders expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, praising his administration’s efforts in advancing development across the South-South.
They highlighted the signing of the South-South Development Commission Act and various ongoing infrastructural projects as major milestones.
“We hereby unanimously adopt President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as our sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election and appeal to the electorate across the South-South and the nation to support him,” the communique read.
The four governors adopted as sole gubernatorial candidates are:
Bassey Otu of Cross River State
Monday Okpebholo of Edo State
Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State
Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State
The forum also extended a political olive branch to the remaining non-APC governors in the region — Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Douye Diri of Bayelsa State — urging them and their supporters to embrace the ruling party and its Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We commend the patriotic decision of stakeholders from Delta and Akwa Ibom for embracing the Renewed Hope Agenda. We call on the remaining governors and their supporters to join the progressive family,” the statement added.
Although four governors were endorsed, only three are eligible for re-election in 2027. Governor Okpebholo of Edo State, who assumed office in an off-cycle election, will not be on the ballot during the regular 2027 cycle.