The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, has called on the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 general elections, urging the region to embrace strategic political alliances to strengthen its influence in national affairs.
Stanley Nkwocha made the appeal on Saturday at a sensitisation meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imerienwe Ward 5, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, where community leaders and political stakeholders pledged to consolidate their political structures under the ruling party.
He argued that the South-East needed to reassess its political calculations in the light of its electoral strength, prevailing national realities and opportunities for development through constructive engagement with the Federal Government.
According to him, the Tinubu administration has 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 investments in transport infrastructure as evidence of the administration’s commitment to inclusive national development.
He maintained that the region’s comparatively smaller registered voter population made strategic partnerships with other geopolitical zones important to its quest for greater political influence and national leadership.
The presidential aide also questioned the political calculations of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, particularly reports of a possible political arrangement involving former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He raised concerns about the implications of any proposed one-term presidential arrangement for the South-East’s long-term political aspirations, questioning whether such an agreement would serve the region’s collective interests.
Nkwocha urged his kinsmen to support Tinubu and Shettima’s re-election bid, stressing that grassroots mobilisation and active participation in national politics were essential to strengthening the region’s voice in the country’s political affairs.
“My boss, Vice President Kashim Shettima, is on the ballot. Please support the Vice President,” he appealed.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Barrister Enyinna Onuegbu, recalled Imerienwe’s longstanding reputation for political organisation and grassroots mobilisation.
“We used to come to Imerienwe to learn how to play politics,” Onuegbu said, noting that Ngor Okpala had traditionally been recognised for delivering substantial bloc votes during elections.
He commended Uzodimma for infrastructure development across Imo State, particularly improvements at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, which he said had enabled night flight operations.
“Under Governor Hope Uzodimma, aeroplanes now land at the Imo State Airport at night. More good things are coming in the future,” he said.
Onuegbu expressed confidence in the community’s commitment to the APC, declaring that “Imerienwe will deliver all APC candidates in the coming elections.”
Similarly, the Chairman of Ndi Nze Ngor-Okpala and Okenze Ngor-Okpala Ggbururu, Chief Sylvester Okenze Obinna, urged residents to support Nkwocha, describing him as a source of pride to the community.
He called on the people to demonstrate their unity by voting for Tinubu and Shettima in 2027, saying their support would reflect the community’s appreciation of the opportunities associated with Nkwocha’s position in government.
“Our son, Stanley Nkwocha, has made us proud, and we must stand together to support him,” Obinna said. He urged residents to ensure that Ngor Okpala demonstrated its support for the President and Vice President at the polls.
Retired Air Vice Marshal Remigius Ekeh also emphasised the importance of unity and strategic political engagement in advancing the community’s collective interests.
“Politics is both local and strategic. Strategic thinking must be used in order to make a success of our political ambitions,” he said.
Earlier, the Village Chairman of Umunakara Community, Hon. Ifeanyi Nwaiwu, announced that political leaders and supporters across seven villages-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.
He assured party leaders of the community’s commitment to the mobilisation exercise, adding, “We will not shame you.”
The community also presented requests for the grading of local roads and the installation of 50 additional solar-powered streetlights at strategic locations to improve accessibility,
securityand economic activities.
The meeting attracted community leaders, women and youth representatives, political stakeholders and APC supporters from Imo State and other parts of the South-East. Discussions focused on political participation, grassroots mobilisation and community development priorities.
Other participants included the APC Owerri Zonal Women Leader, Lady Tina Okere; the party’s Ngor Okpala Vice Chairman, Hon. Georginia Onuoha; its local government secretary, Emmanuel Ukachukwu Dubic; the local government youth leader, Chinedu Uhuka; and the Imerienwe Ward 5 Chairman, Nze Friday Ole, alongside other party stakeholders.