The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ben Nwoye, has stated that the party is prepared to counter Peter Obi’s growing influence in southern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obi, who contested the presidency under the Labour Party in 2023 and won nine of the 17 southern states, is now with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he aims to become the party’s presidential candidate in 2027. In 2023, he came third with 6,101,533 votes (25.40%), behind Bola Tinubu of the APC and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Nwoye highlighted Obi’s significant victories in the South-East during the last election, noting the scale of support Obi’s movement secured in Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly elections. He emphasised that the APC will ensure it competes strongly across the region this time, recognising the challenge posed by Obi’s dual presence in both the Obidient movement and the ADC.
“Every vote is going to count. We are prepared to contest through the system and maximise our chances to win,” Nwoye said.
The APC leader also acknowledged that the party will face its biggest challenge from southern Nigeria in 2027, with multiple southern figures preparing to run for the presidency, including Obi and Rotimi Amaechi.
At the party’s 8th national convention, Nentawe Yilwatda was returned as national chairman, while Surajudeen Basiru was elected secretary. Other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were also selected through a consensus ratified by delegates.
