Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will secure more votes in the South-South region in the 2027 presidential election than he recorded in the 2023 polls.
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Diri made the declaration on Thursday through his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, shortly after attending the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Benin City, Edo State. He attributed his prediction to what he described as the growing political influence of the APC and the impact of the Tinubu administration across the region.
Key Highlights
- Governor Douye Diri predicts increased votes for Tinubu in the South-South during the 2027 presidential election.
- Diri says the APC has consolidated its political influence across the region.
- Deputy Governor Peter Akpe represents Diri at the Edo State APC campaign rally in Benin City.
- Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo pledges at least 2.5 million votes for Tinubu from the state.
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole express support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
- Vice President Kashim Shettima highlights federal government projects and reforms while seeking public support for Tinubu.
Diri Says APC Will Secure More Votes for Tinubu in South-South
Speaking to journalists after the rally, Akpe, who represented Governor Diri, said the APC was gaining support across the South-South and expressed confidence that the development would translate into increased votes for President Tinubu in 2027.
According to him, the ruling party has strengthened its position across the region, while the Tinubu administration has demonstrated commitment to addressing some of the challenges confronting the South-South.
Diri also expressed satisfaction with the large turnout at the Benin City rally and similar political gatherings organised by the APC, describing the attendance as evidence of growing grassroots support for the party.
He maintained that the APC remained a major political force in Bayelsa State, dismissing claims by opposition figures that the party had lost its relevance in the state.
“You saw the mammoth crowd that thronged the Ogbemudia Stadium and its environs a moment ago. That is a mammoth crowd of organic supporters of our party. It is not a rented crowd. And it is like that all across the South-South,” he said.
He added that Edo State had demonstrated its commitment to the APC, noting that the party was working to consolidate its political position across the region.
“But as you can see today, all the states in the South-South are now APC, and the party has firm control of what happens in each of the states in the region. So, President Bola Tinubu will not only win, but will also win with a bigger margin of votes in 2027 than he did in 2023,” he stated.
The governor urged political observers to wait for the outcome of the January 16, 2027 election to assess the performance of the APC and other political parties in Bayelsa.
Okpebholo Promises 2.5 Million Votes for Tinubu in Edo
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, reiterated his commitment to delivering at least 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the state during the 2027 presidential election.
Okpebholo attributed what he described as the achievements of his administration to the support received from the Federal Government under President Tinubu.
He assured the President that his administration and the Edo APC leadership would work towards fulfilling the electoral promise.
The governor’s pledge formed part of the assurances given by APC leaders and political stakeholders at the Benin City campaign rally.
Akpabio, Oshiomhole Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
Other prominent APC leaders also expressed confidence in the party’s political prospects in the South-South.
Among those who addressed the gathering were Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Both leaders assured President Tinubu of their commitment to mobilising support for his re-election in 2027, while expressing confidence in the party’s ability to secure substantial votes across the region.
Their statements reinforced the APC’s campaign message of consolidating its political presence in the South-South.
Shettima Highlights Tinubu Administration’s Achievements
Addressing the gathering on behalf of President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima urged Nigerians to assess the administration based on its reforms, development projects and efforts to improve living conditions across the country.
Shettima highlighted several areas of federal government intervention, including the upgrading of healthcare facilities at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, infrastructure development, social support programmes for vulnerable citizens and improved security.
He also mentioned investments in educational institutions, subsidised fertiliser for farmers, vocational training programmes through the National Directorate of Employment and financial assistance for communities affected by disasters.
According to the Vice President, the Federal Government has also prioritised the operational capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies.
“We have completed some works and some works are ongoing. We ask that our stewardship be judged by the lives it has touched and the works we are determined to complete. We seek your mandate to finish the work we have begun,” Shettima said.
He urged Nigerians to consider the administration’s record and ongoing projects as they prepare to make decisions at the 2027 polls.
Bayelsa APC Leaders Attend Edo Campaign Rally
Deputy Governor Peter Akpe attended the Edo State APC presidential campaign rally alongside several Bayelsa APC leaders and party stakeholders.
The delegation included the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Hon. Weri Warman Ogoriba, the party’s Women Leader, Mrs Rose Itoko-Amadi, and the South-South Zonal Director for Youth Mobilisation of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mrs Deme Pamooso.
Other party chieftains also joined the delegation at the campaign event.
The rally forms part of the APC’s political mobilisation activities ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.
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