Former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on the people of the South-South region to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying the President deserves another term to consolidate his policies, economic reforms and infrastructure development initiatives.
Okowa made the appeal on Saturday at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-South campaign for Tinubu’s re-election in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he urged party leaders, members, supporters and other Nigerians to unite behind the President ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former governor said the Tinubu administration had demonstrated commitment to building a new Nigeria through policies and programmes aimed at repositioning the country’s economy and addressing developmental challenges.
He maintained that the President needed another four-year mandate to sustain ongoing projects, deepen economic reforms and advance his administration’s development agenda across the country.
Okowa, who governed Delta State for eight years and is currently the APC candidate for Delta North Senatorial District, also explained the political considerations behind his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He said his decision to leave the opposition party was informed by his assessment of Tinubu’s policies and programmes, which he believes are aimed at transforming the country’s economic and developmental landscape.
The former governor recalled that he was on a different political platform during the 2023 presidential election but said subsequent developments had changed his political position.
“You all know that in 2023 I was in another ticket but I have seen the light and I have seen what Mr President is doing for Nigeria. It is the right thing to be done and I have, along with my governor, long ago crossed to the APC to join hands with Mr President, because he is truly building a new Nigeria,” Okowa said.
He further urged the South-South region not to remain outside the political movement seeking Tinubu’s re-election, insisting that the region should be part of the coalition supporting the President’s second-term ambition.
According to him, the administration’s reform policies and infrastructure drive have provided reasons for the region to participate actively in the 2027 political process.
Okowa called on APC stakeholders across the South-South to strengthen party unity, mobilise grassroots support and take the message of the President’s re-election campaign to communities across the region.
He also urged undecided voters and other supporters of the party to identify with the APC and support its candidates at all levels in the forthcoming elections.
The campaign flag-off in Port Harcourt forms part of the APC’s mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the South-South expected to play a significant role in the party’s campaign strategy.
Okowa’s appeal comes as he seeks to consolidate his political position in Delta North while working with other APC leaders in the region to mobilise support for the party’s candidates in the forthcoming elections.