Chief Victor Giadom, the Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the South-South region, has declared that while former President Goodluck Jonathan has the right to contest the 2027 presidential election, he will not receive the support of the South-South geopolitical zone. This declaration comes amidst rumors that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South-South, might persuade Jonathan to enter the race. Giadom, speaking in his hometown of Bere in Rivers State, affirmed the South-South’s unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. He emphasized that the region’s political leaders have made their decision and there will be no turning back.
Giadom’s assertion of the South-South’s support for Tinubu’s re-election stems from the president’s significant infrastructural development efforts in the region. He highlighted the ongoing construction of the East-West road, particularly the Eleme section, a project long-awaited by the region’s inhabitants. He also cited the near completion of the Bodo-Bonny road, which will drastically reduce travel time between Mogo Junction and Bonny. Furthermore, Giadom pointed to the ongoing environmental remediation efforts in Ogoniland by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) as another example of Tinubu’s commitment to the region’s development. These tangible improvements, Giadom argued, justify the South-South’s decision to back Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Dismissing any potential challenge from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Giadom asserted that the party has no significant presence in the South-South and therefore poses no threat to the APC’s dominance in the region. He underlined the APC’s growing influence by noting that almost all the governors in the South-South are now members of the ruling party, with Bayelsa State expected to follow suit. This shift in the political landscape, coupled with President Tinubu’s developmental initiatives, makes Giadom confident of a resounding victory for the APC in the 2027 elections.
The successful conduct of the recent local government elections in Rivers State further bolstered Giadom’s confidence in the APC’s stronghold in the South-South. He commended the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for overseeing a peaceful and transparent election process, devoid of the usual disruptions and violence. He portrayed the high voter turnout as a testament to the region’s united support for President Tinubu and the APC. The chairman of Gokana LGA, Hon. Confidence Deko, echoed this sentiment, expressing satisfaction with the peaceful and enthusiastic participation of voters in his community.
Deko, who secured re-election under the APC banner, attributed his victory to his previous performance as LG chairman and the people’s appreciation of President Tinubu’s commitment to the Ogoni people. The overwhelming support demonstrated during the local government elections serves as a microcosm of the wider political sentiment in the South-South, further solidifying Giadom’s belief in the APC’s dominance and Tinubu’s re-election prospects. This combination of developmental achievements, a shift in political allegiances towards the APC, and the perceived lack of a credible opposition paints a picture of a region firmly under the APC’s control, bolstering Giadom’s confidence in a comfortable victory for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The political climate in the South-South, as described by Giadom, suggests a clear path to victory for President Tinubu in the 2027 elections. The ongoing infrastructural development projects, combined with the near-total control of the region’s governorships by the APC, create a formidable advantage for the ruling party. Furthermore, the perceived weakness of the opposition, particularly the ADC’s lack of presence in the region, strengthens the APC’s position and diminishes the likelihood of any serious challenge to Tinubu’s re-election bid. The recent local government elections, marked by high voter turnout and a peaceful atmosphere, further reinforce this narrative of a region firmly in support of the APC and its leader.
