2027: Tinubu has no competitor in South-South — Akpabio
Senate President Akpabio Dismisses Competition for Tinubu in South-South
By Adegboyega Adeleye
Benin City, Edo State — Senate President Godswill Akpabio has claimed that President Bola Tinubu faces no significant opposition in the South-South region ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Addressing supporters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Thursday, Akpabio pointed to regional backing for the APC and various developmental projects as factors bolstering Tinubu’s position.
“President Bola Tinubu has no competition, no competitor in the whole of the South-South,” Akpabio stated. He highlighted the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, along with security initiatives and infrastructure developments in Edo, as reasons for local endorsement of Tinubu.
Akpabio asserted that the Lagos-Calabar highway, a long-desired dream for many in the region, has become a reality since Tinubu took office, with an additional 100 kilometers added to cover Edo. He emphasized that residents are thankful for these advancements.
He called on South-South voters to mobilize for the president on January 16, 2027, expressing confidence that the region would outperform others in voter turnout. “We have resolved that no other zone in Nigeria will surpass us. We will vote massively for the President,” he said, adding that their support could potentially outpace that of other regions, including the North East.
In his remarks, Akpabio asserted that Edo is firmly aligned with Tinubu. He recounted a conversation with Vice President Kashim Shettima, who remarked that the state’s election is already decided in favor of Tinubu. Akpabio referred to Edo as the first state to adopt the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and later the APC in the South-South, noting that all states in the region are now governed by the party.
He also highlighted recent security measures in Edo, including the establishment of a new mobile police base, recruitment of forest guards, and plans for state policing as part of efforts to enhance safety in the area. “Security is returning to Nigeria in full force,” he remarked.
Akpabio mentioned the establishment of an 83rd Army Division in Edo and thanked the President for ongoing development, including the creation of new universities and construction projects. He praised the commitment of South-South governors to Tinubu, noting significant construction activities, including new flyovers, throughout the region.
“The commitment of our state governors in the South-South is remarkable,” he concluded, indicating that the area has become a hub for development initiatives.
