South-South APC Leaders Rally for Tinubu's Re-election in Asaba Summit
High-profile political figures from the South-South region and beyond converged on Asaba, the capital of Delta State, in a powerful show of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid. The gathering, held at the Government House, was part of a two-day South-South Strategic Communications and Mobilisation Summit themed "One Party, One Message, One Mobilisation." It brought together governors, party chieftains, and stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including notable attendees such as Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Confident Predictions and Regional Influence
The Chairman of the occasion, Adedayo Adeyeye, struck a confident tone, predicting a landslide victory for Tinubu in the upcoming general elections. He argued that the South-South region remains the "economic lifeline" of Nigeria and a decisive political bloc, insisting that any party with firm control of the region would inevitably dominate national polls. "Come rain or shine, Tinubu will be re-elected overwhelmingly," Adeyeye declared, adding that the APC's growing foothold in the region reflects increasing acceptance of its policies and governance approach.
Policy Achievements and Unity Calls
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who also serves as Director-General of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, acknowledged that President Tinubu has done enough for the people, citing improvements in macroeconomic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, oil production, and revenue allocation. He urged the ambassadors to act as interpreters of government policies and bridge the communication divide to ensure broader public understanding and support.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the host of the summit, emphasized unity within party ranks as critical to electoral success. He warned that fragmented messaging could weaken the APC's influence and embolden opposition forces, stressing the need for a cohesive strategy ahead of the elections.
Political Resignation Directive
In a related development, Governor Oborevwori has directed all political appointees with ambitions to contest in the 2027 general elections to resign their positions on or before March 31, 2026. This move is already stirring political calculations within Delta State. The directive, conveyed in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Eze Emu, aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, alongside the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for party primaries.
According to the state government, the order affects a broad spectrum of appointees, including:
- Commissioners
- Advisers
- Directors-general
- Executive assistants
- Senior special assistants
- Special assistants
- Personal assistants to the governor
- Other political office holders across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs)
The statement mandates affected officials to submit formal resignation letters through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and hand over responsibilities to the most senior civil servants in their respective MDAs, ensuring a smooth transition and compliance with electoral regulations.
