2027: Nkwocha Urges South-East to Embrace Strategic Alliances, Mobilises Imo APC Grassroots

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, has urged the South-East to embrace strategic political alliances and increase its participation in national politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nkwocha made the call at an All Progressives Congress (APC) sensitisation meeting in Imerienwe Ward 5, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State. The meeting brought together community leaders, party officials, youths, women and other political stakeholders, who expressed their commitment to strengthening the party’s grassroots structures.

The presidential aide said the South-East needed to reassess its political strategy in view of its electoral strength, prevailing national political realities and the development opportunities he said could arise from constructive engagement with the Federal Government.

He maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had demonstrated its commitment to the region through infrastructure projects, institutional reforms and economic investments, despite the South-East’s voting pattern in the 2023 presidential election.

Nkwocha cited the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, the reconstruction of major federal highways and improvements in transport infrastructure as examples of the administration’s efforts towards inclusive national development. He also argued that the region’s comparatively smaller registered voter population made strategic partnerships with other geopolitical zones important to its long-term political ambitions.

The presidential aide also questioned the political calculations surrounding former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and reports of a possible political arrangement involving former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. He raised concerns about the implications of a proposed one-term presidency arrangement for the South-East’s future leadership aspirations, asking whether such an agreement would serve the region’s collective interests.

Calling on his kinsmen to support the Tinubu administration, Nkwocha emphasised the importance of grassroots mobilisation and participation in national politics. “My boss, Vice President Kashim Shettima, is on the ballot. Please support the Vice President,” he appealed in reference to the 2027 elections.

Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Barrister Enyinnaya Onuegbu, praised Imerienwe’s history of political organisation and grassroots mobilisation. He recalled that political figures had previously visited the community to learn about its approach to political organisation, adding that Ngor Okpala had traditionally been known for delivering substantial bloc votes during elections.

Onuegbu also commended Uzodimma for infrastructure development in Imo State, particularly improvements at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport that have enabled night flight operations. Expressing confidence in the community’s political mobilisation, he said, “Imerienwe will deliver all APC candidates in the coming elections.”

Chairman of Ndi Nze Ngor-Okpala and Okenze Ngor-Okpala Ggburukhulu, Chief Sylvester Okenze Obinna, urged residents to support Nkwocha and remain united behind President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in 2027. He said the presidential aide had made the community proud and called on residents to demonstrate their support through their votes.

Retired Air Vice Marshal Remigius Ekeh also stressed the importance of unity and strategic political engagement, saying that effective political planning was necessary to achieve the community’s ambitions.

Earlier, Umunakara Community Village Chairman, Hon. Ifeanyi Nwaiwu, announced that political leaders and supporters from the seven villages of Umuchieze, Umukoha, Umundiukwu, Umunakara, Umunwoko, Umuodu and Umuokoji had resolved to unite under the APC.

“There is no other party in contention. We are all collapsing our political affiliations into the APC,” Nwaiwu declared, assuring party leaders of the community’s commitment to the mobilisation exercise.

The ward chairman also presented requests for the grading of community roads and the installation of 50 additional solar-powered streetlights at strategic locations to improve access, security and economic activity.

Other participants included APC Owerri Zonal Women Leader Lady Tina Okere; APC Vice Chairman in Ngor Okpala, Honourable Mrs Georginia Onuoha; the local government party secretary, Emmanuel Ukachukwu Dubic; youth leader Chinedu Uhuka; Imerienwe Ward 5 Chairman Nze Friday Ole; and other community and political stakeholders.

The meeting focused on political participation, grassroots organisation and community development priorities as political parties and their supporters begin preparations for the 2027 general elections.