The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ben Nwoye, has said the ruling party is preparing strategically to counter the growing political influence of Peter Obi in southern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Monday, Nwoye acknowledged the significant impact Obi made during the 2023 presidential election, particularly across the southern region, and stressed that the APC would not underestimate him going forward.
Obi, who contested the 2023 election under the Labour Party and is now associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), secured notable victories in several southern states.
He polled 6,101,533 votes, placing third behind Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, who won with 8,794,726 votes, and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 6,984,520 votes.
Reflecting on the last election, Nwoye described the South-East as the “ground zero” of the Obidient movement, noting that Obi and his supporters recorded sweeping victories across multiple electoral levels, including Senate, House of Representatives, and state assembly seats.
“When you look at what happened in the South-East, they practically took everything, including my state,” Nwoye said, adding that Obi’s reach extended beyond the region into states like Delta, Edo, and even Lagos.
He pointed out that Obi’s continued political relevance supported by both his grassroots “Obidient” movement and his current platform makes him a formidable contender in the next election cycle.
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“With such a figure moving around, you must be prepared. Every vote will count, and we are going to fight through the system to ensure victory,” he added.
Nwoye further noted that the 2027 presidential contest is likely to be highly competitive in the southern region, with multiple political figures expected to emerge.
He referenced potential contenders, including Rotimi Amaechi, suggesting that the region could become the focal point of the electoral battle.
The APC chieftain, who previously served as the party’s chairman in Enugu State, is part of the newly constituted National Working Committee (NWC) elected during the party’s recent convention.
The convention also saw Nentawe Yilwatda emerge as national chairman, alongside Surajudeen Basiru and other party executives through a consensus arrangement.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027, Nwoye’s remarks highlight the APC’s recognition of shifting voter dynamics, particularly in the South, where competition is expected to be fierce.
For many voters, the coming months may shape not only party alignments but also broader conversations around leadership, development, and the direction of the country.