2027: “We Cannot Isolate Ourselves” — APGA Endorses Tinubu for Second-Term

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has declared its intention to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The party said the move reflects its current political direction and long-standing alignment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The position was made public on Wednesday by APGA National Chairman, Sly Ezeokenwa, during a television interview.

His remarks confirm earlier signals from Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, who had hinted that the party would not field a presidential candidate in the next election cycle.

According to Ezeokenwa, the party’s National Working Committee had already agreed on the decision.

“The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the national working committee, had already taken the decision that we will stay aligned and we will still share the same accord with the All Progressive Congress (APC) and accept the idea of adopting Mr. President as our presidential candidate,” he said.

He explained that the decision did not come suddenly. The party, he noted, has maintained a consistent ideological position over time.

“Even prior to anybody’s declaration, the party maintains the position that it will stand ideologically aligned with not just with the All Progressive Congress, but with the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President, and nothing has changed about that,” he added.

Despite the declaration, Ezeokenwa clarified that the endorsement is yet to be formally ratified. He said the party would complete the process during a national convention, where the adoption of President Tinubu would be officially sealed.

The APGA chairman also spoke on the broader political strategy behind the move. He pointed to voting patterns from the 2023 general election as a major factor influencing the party’s decision. According to him, the South-East region contributed less than 10 per cent of the total votes cast in that election.

He said the figures show the need for stronger political alliances if the region hopes to produce top national leaders. “If you look at the demographics of the 2023 election, the southeast contributed less than 10 per cent of the total vote cast in that election,” he stated.

Ezeokenwa stressed that no region can secure the presidency in isolation. He said collaboration across geopolitical zones has become necessary in Nigeria’s political structure.

“So what it tells you is that to have a shot at the presidency or even the vice presidency or any top position in the country, you need a strategic partnership with our brothers from the North, South West, or even the South South,” he said.

He added that leaders from the South-East have begun to rethink their political approach. According to him, there is a growing consensus that the region must reconnect with mainstream national politics.

Quoting the position of regional stakeholders, he said, “Look, we cannot continue to isolate ourselves from the central politics of our country.”

He further noted that the time has come for a more inclusive strategy that would give the region a stronger voice at the centre. “This is the time in our strategic interest for us to now look at the way that we can be alive,” he added.