“THE SOUTH-EAST IS WATCHING”: APC GROUP WARNS IMO WEST RULING COULD COST TINUBU 2027 VOTES

A pro-Tinubu group, the Renewed Hope Foot Soldiers for Tinubu, has warned that the Federal High Court ruling recognising Rochas Okorocha as the valid All Progressives Congress candidate for Imo West Senatorial District could heighten political tensions in the South-East and undermine President Bola Tinubu’s support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The warning was issued in a statement on Saturday by the group’s National President, Hon. Gbenga Owojori, ValidViewNetwork reports.

THE RULING

The group said the dispute over the Imo West ticket had consequences beyond the constituency, altering political calculations surrounding the Senate presidency and raising concerns that a leading South-East contender could be shut out before the next Senate is constituted.

It argued that Governor Hope Uzodimma, a former senator, should be allowed to pursue his political ambitions in accordance with established rules, noting that his supporters considered him a credible contender for the Senate presidency with backing from political leaders across party lines.

THE ALLEGATIONS

The group drew attention to allegations by critics that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had an interest in preventing Uzodimma from emerging as a potential rival, while former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was allegedly involved in efforts to pursue a legal challenge against the Imo governor.

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It said the allegations had been linked to Akpabio’s previous support for Wike during his political disagreement with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The group described Wike as a “meddlesome interloper” and referenced claims attributed to him that he could replace President Tinubu if the doctrine of necessity were invoked over concerns about the President’s health.

However, the group acknowledged that the allegations remained unsubstantiated and insisted the judgment should be assessed strictly on its legal merits .

THE WARNING

The group warned that the dispute could affect Tinubu’s political fortunes if South-East leaders concluded that their support for the administration was not matched by fair political representation.

“If the South-East believes its support is welcome only when votes are needed, but its candidates are obstructed when power is being shared, the consequences could extend well beyond Imo State,” the group said .

It called on the APC leadership to ensure transparency in its nomination processes and avoid actions that could be perceived as excluding candidates to protect the political interests of others.

WHY IT MATTERS

The South-East has historically been a difficult region for the APC.

President Tinubu’s performance there in 2023 was weak, and the region’s political leaders have long complained of marginalisation.

The Imo West dispute has now become a test of whether the APC can manage its internal conflicts without alienating an entire geopolitical zone. If Uzodimma is perceived as being blocked from pursuing his ambitions, the consequences could be severe for Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The group has warned the President. The question is whether the party leadership will listen. ValidViewNetwork reports.