The South-South zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday adopted President Bola Tinubu as its sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The stakeholders also endorsed the governors of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Edo as the sole candidates of the party during their respective governorship elections.

The leader of the House of Representatives, Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion for the adoption of the communiqué and was seconded by Adams Oshiomhole.

Reading the communiqué, Victor Giadom, APC national vice chairman (South-South), stated that the zone’s decision to support Mr Tinubu was based on his transformational leadership and agenda.

He also lauded the president for creating the South-South Development Commission and for the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road.

“We also take cognisance of the massive developmental projects in the region, including but not limited to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.

“We therefore unanimously pass a vote of confidence on our uncommon president of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his outstanding leadership, for uniting the South-South region, and for his support for the renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President,” Mr Giadom said.

Mr Giadom also urged Governors Duoye Diri of Bayelsa and Siminialayi Fubara of Rivers to join the APC.

“We therefore humbly call on the remaining two non-APC governors of the region, namely, the governors of Rivers State and Bayelsa State, and their supporters, to also join the Progressive family in the APC,” he stated.

Mr Giadom applauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for making the zone proud by supporting Mr Tínubu and his infrastructural transformation of the FCT.

In his speech, the acting national chairman of the APC, Ali Dalori, commended the party’s leadership in the zone for organising the meeting.

Mr Dalori, who formally welcomed the governor of Akwa Ibom to the party, however, added that the Tinubu-led government has no intention to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the entire zone will soon come under the control of the APC.

He hinted that Governors Fubara and Diri might soon join the party.

Earlier in his address of welcome, Governor Okpebholo noted that the South-South zone was gradually gaining its footing in terms of good governance due to Mr Tinubu’s support.

Present at the meeting were Mr Akpabio, Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Bassey Edet of Cross River and Monday Okpebholo of Edo. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta was represented by his Deputy, Monday Onyeme.

Others include ministers from the geo-political zone, federal and state lawmakers on the APC platform, and political appointees.

(NAN)