Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has described the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in the South-East as a “political accident,” insisting that the voting pattern in the region will not be repeated in 2027.
Uzodimma made the remarks while hosting leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Abia State, led by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, at the Government House in Owerri.
The meeting, held ahead of party primaries, focused on strengthening unity within the APC in the South-East and mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Addressing party stakeholders, Uzodimma said the region’s voting decision in 2023 where support largely went to opposition candidate Peter Obi was a miscalculation.
“We made a wrong national political calculation in the South-East in 2023. What happened was a political accident that will not repeat itself,” he said.
The governor stressed the importance of unity within party ranks, urging members to set aside differences in pursuit of a common political goal.
“Our responsibility is to be our brother’s keeper. We must unite, regardless of disagreements,” he added.
Uzodimma also argued that the South-East must align more closely with the ruling party at the centre to strengthen its influence in national affairs.
“Nigeria operates on a tripod. The only way for the South-East to reintegrate fully and take its place is by being part of the APC, so we can have a stronger voice,” he stated.
He maintained that increased participation in the APC would position the region to benefit more from federal opportunities.
“We must work for Bola Tinubu to be indebted to us. Political investment yields dividends. We must deliver more votes for the President in the South-East,” he said.
Expressing confidence ahead of the next election cycle, Uzodimma declared that President Tinubu would secure a convincing victory in the region.
“President Bola Tinubu will win convincingly in the South-East, and we will be part of that success,” he said, adding that efforts were ongoing to maintain peace and stability across the region.
He also cautioned party members against allowing internal contests to create divisions, warning that the forthcoming primaries should not become a source of conflict.
APC Leaders Push for Cohesion
Several APC stakeholders attended the meeting, including National Vice Chairman (South-East) Ijeoma Arodiogbu; former Minister of State for Labour, Nkiru Onyejiocha; former Minister of State for Education, Henry Ikoh; and Chairman of the South East Development Commission, Emeka Wogu.
In their remarks, party leaders emphasised discipline, unity, and strategic coordination as essential to electoral success.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu highlighted the political importance of Abia State, criticising the current administration’s performance and calling for a change in leadership.
“Abia needs a breath of fresh air. What we have seen in recent times is not good enough for our people,” Kalu said.
Drawing comparisons with developments in Imo State, he praised Uzodimma’s governance approach.
“With similar resources, you can see that Governor Uzodimma is achieving more in Imo. The results speak for themselves,” he noted.
Kalu also criticised what he described as excessive publicity without tangible development in Abia.
“What we see is noise on social media without corresponding results on the ground. Governance is about performance, not propaganda,” he added.
He expressed confidence that the APC would secure victory in Abia State in 2027, both in the governorship race and in delivering support for the President.
“The APC must win Abia in 2027. That is how we reposition the state and align it with the centre for greater benefits,” he said.
The meeting ended with a collective commitment by APC leaders in the South-East to strengthen party structures, deepen internal unity, and mobilise broader support for President Tinubu ahead of the next general elections.
