South-East APC Leaders Unite Against Wike, Back 2027 Candidates
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Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East have reaffirmed their commitment to party unity and pledged their collective support for all APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The position was contained in a joint statement signed by Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the APC; Senator Emmanuel Anosike, APC Chairman, Anambra State; Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, APC Chairman, Abia State; Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha, APC Chairman, Ebonyi State; Dr. Martin Chukwunwike, APC Chairman, Enugu State; and Chief Austin Onyedebelu, APC Chairman, Imo State.
The leaders expressed support for the position of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), saying it was aimed at strengthening the party and ensuring coordinated support for APC candidates at all levels in the 2027 elections.
According to the leaders, the approach would promote greater cooperation among party stakeholders, strengthen the APC’s structures across the states and encourage members to work collectively towards the party’s objectives.
They called for greater respect and constructive engagement among party stakeholders, stressing that the APC is bigger than any individual and that its progress depends on unity, discipline and collective responsibility.
The South-East APC leadership also commended APC governors for their contributions to development, infrastructure, security and governance in their respective states.
The leaders urged all stakeholders to remain focused on effective leadership and the delivery of development to citizens.
They further reaffirmed their commitment to supporting APC candidates from the presidential level through the Senate, House of Representatives, governorship and State Houses of Assembly in the 2027 elections.
The leaders also called for peaceful political engagement and respect for the autonomy of elected leaders, urging party members to place the interests of the APC and the people above individual differences.
South-East APC Leaders Reject Wike’s Criticism of Governors
The South-East APC leadership also rejected recent criticisms of members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The leaders described Wike’s remarks against members of the PGF as “most unfortunate, reprehensible and completely unacceptable.”
They said the governors are elected leaders whose performances and electoral records deserve respect, and accused Wike of attempting to influence their political fortunes ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to the leaders, Wike’s criticisms were directed at governors who had delivered significant development in their respective states and secured more than 25 per cent of the presidential votes in their states in the 2023 election.
“Progressive Governors are not abstract politicians; they are performing leaders whose records speak for themselves,” the statement said, adding that the governors were independent elected leaders who should be treated with respect.
The APC South-East leadership further accused Wike of attempting to interfere in the political fortunes of serving APC governors ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that a minister has no authority over elected governors.
“It is more troubling that Wike’s growing tendency to insult, diminish and plot to remove sitting Progressive Governors in 2027 is increasing each day,” the statement said.
The leaders called on the FCT Minister to withdraw what they described as his attacks on the governors and return to “party discipline, mutual respect and collective responsibility.”
They also rejected what they described as the “rainbow (chameleon) coalition” in the South-East, warning that the APC would resist any attempt to undermine its structures in the region.
“We in the South East stand solidly with all Progressive Governors and candidates of our party at all levels in the forthcoming 2027 elections,” the statement said.
