As Nigeria moves towards the deciding year 2027, the South-East geo-political zone is taking steps towards obliterating its age-long relegation to a second fiddle player in the political history of the country. In this report by South South/South East Regional Editor, Suyi Ayodele, with reports from JOHNKENNEDY UZOMA, CAJETAN MMUTA, and GRACE EGBO, takes a look at the political permutations in the zone ahead of the 2027 elections.
THE South East geopolitical zone started out as a monolithic political region in 1999, when the current Fourth Republic took off. The five states that constitute the region were under the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time. Things, however, started changing from the 2003 election, when Mr. Peter Obi contested on the ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), though he was unable to claim the seat until two years later. Right now, the PDP has lost out in the zone, in terms of governorship seats, as its only state governor, Petr Mbah of Enugu State, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The APC now controls Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States, while APGA controls Anambra, with Labour Party (LP) completing the roll call with its control of Abia State. As 2027 beckons, no one can say with certainty where the pendulum of control will swing yet, but the actors are peddling their wares, waiting for the people to finally decide in January and February next year.
To all political observers in the Eastern Heartland, also known as Imo State, the greatest preoccupation among the political class now is the acquisition or retention of power in 2027. While the elections for the office of the president and members of the National Assembly will take place simultaneously on January 16, 2027, that of the governorship and House of Assembly members will take place on February 6, 2027, in accordance with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Though the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, was not inaugurated on May 29, 2023, alongside other governors, his election is off-season, but it will still hold late in 2027. The governor took over from Hon. Emeka Ihedioha on January 15, 2020, following the Supreme Court ruling which nullified the election of the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. To be sure, politics is a projection cum protection of interests which entails consultative, negotiation, and extension of olive branches and even lobbying to realise one’s ambition. It is against this background that the political temperature of the state has gradually begun to acquire stronger waves as politicians nursing one electoral ambition or the other have oiled their political machineries, fortifying their structures and engaging the attention of those they feel can make things happen for them.
These are acclaimed godfathers in the business world, religious enclaves, and financial magnets within and outside the shores of the state who are believed to hold the key to unlock the votes. But in recent times, some of the political gladiators have virtually shifted their bases to Abuja, where they feel they can get the nod of the shakers of the polity at the national level for what they are looking for.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is grossly immersed in its bid to retain power after the exit of Uzodimma early in 2028. The APC appears engrossed in the herculean task of deciding which of the two zones of Imo East and Imo North Senatorial districts should take over power from Uzodimma, as both zones are intensely lobbying for the position. Incidentally, Uzodimma hails from Orlu East in Imo West Senatorial District.
The broom-symbol party, which controls both the State House of Assembly and the 27 local government areas, is going the extra mile to entrench its foot soldiers in all nooks and crannies of the state, preparatory to the 2027 earth-shaking political battle.
While Owerri zone is arguing that it should be compensated with the number one seat since its son, Emeka Ihedioha, only ruled for seven months before he was thrown out of office by the Supreme Court. Okigwe, on the other hand, is arguing that its son, Ikedi Ohakim, who lost to the former Governor Rochas Okorocha, must be allowed to complete his second tenure in line with the spirit of Imo Charter of Equity.
In like manner, the 10 Federal Houses of Representatives seats, the three senatorial seats of Imo East and Imo North, and Imo West, as well as the 27 House of Assembly seats,s are also being hotly contested. With the announcement of the election timetable by INEC, political parties have hit the ground running by embarking on party membership registration drives and other activities.
Members of some prominent political parties, such as the ruling party, APC, the opposition parties: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), All Peoples Party (APP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), have already relocated to various communities and political wards for the mandatory membership registration. The parties have also engaged in stakeholders meetings and zonal conventions where issues on how to go about winning elections in their various states were discussed.
A multi-billionaire businessman and former gubernatorial candidate of the LP, Chief Athan Nneji Achonu, recently added another twist to the tussle when he formally called it quits with the LP, and joined the APGA in a bid to realise his gubernatorial ambition. Achonu, fondly called ‘One Army General’, is from Ehime Mbano in the Imo North Senatorial zone, where both ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume hail from.
There are also speculations that ex-governor Emeka Ihedioha still has eyes on the Government House, Owerri. The ADC in the state has since placed a billboard bearing his portrait at the party secretariat in Owerri. It is believed that his political disciples are currently busy combing the nooks and crannies of the state to drum up support for the Aboh Mbaise-born politician.
There are also indications that the former deputy Rochas Okorocha, Prince Eze Madumere, has also called it quits with the APC and joined the PDP, in a move meant to place him in a vantage position to contest the governorship seat. Another possible contender for election in the state is the serving House of Representatives member Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, representing Ideator Federal Constituency, who won his election into the green chambers through PDP, but has since defected to the APP.
The Honourable member recently declared for the APP alongside the business mogul, Mazi Amadi. Indications have emerged that the member may be seeking the same office for his second tenure alongside other contestants from other political parties in the state.
Anambra: Between Soludo’s crucible and the 2027 polls
For Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, it is no longer a hidden fact that the APGA under his watch is all out to work collaboratively with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu of the APC. The alliance, strange as it appears to some critics, appeared to have paid off for Soludo, who clinched his second term in office with a landslide.
The governor has never hidden his feelings and willingness to align with President Bola Tinubu. The professor of Economics and former Governor of Nigeria’s apex financial institution, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has got what he long sought dream (elected governor) and won’t let go his ambition to etch his name on the sand of time even in realising too in the not too far eye on nation’s topmost seat power in Abuja, when it gets ripe.
To further state the obvious, Charlie Nwamgbafor did not mince words about the political romance with the APC-led government and other progressives when he reiterated the burning push at Soludo’s second term inauguration on March 17, 2026, alongside his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim. From available records, Governor Soludo had worked laboriously to achieve over 90 percent of what he promised the people of the state and even beyond in his manifesto during his first term in office.
Will Soludo’s scorecard amount to strength?
If there is anything that has given Governor Soludo the confidence of political dominion is his scorecards in virtually all sectors of the state. The governor disclosed, during his inauguration, that, “The first four years have been devoted to addressing the basics: restoring security, law and order; addressing waste management and urban regeneration; rebuilding public schools and hospitals; infrastructural revolution especially roads and unprecedented road dualisation for the present and future generations; breaking the 34 year old jinx by building a befitting government house and lodge, digitising government processes and mainstreaming transparency and value-for- money governance, restoring public finance on a path of sustainability, rescuing our environment. He added that “Some 300,000 youths have received digital skills and Anambra One Million Digital Tribe agenda receiving global recognition (Techies!); Over 15,000 youths have been trained and empowered under our unique 1Youth 2Skills programme with 3,000 of them confessing to be new youth millionaires.”
It is also on record that Anambra today commands the lowest out-of-school population, while a total of 208, 000 pregnant women have benefited from the state’s free antenatal delivery scheme. The state also reports that it has recruited over 8, 115 teachers who have been deployed to various primary and secondary schools across the three senatorial districts and 21 LGAs of the state.
According to the governor, “Barely three years in office, after delivering more than 90% of the promises we made for our first term, it was you, Ndi Anambra, who proudly proclaimed that ‘Anambra is back and rapidly rising.”
Anambra Succession:
The question about who succeeds Governor Soludo after his eight years on the saddle is not on the cards at the moment, although it is being discussed in hushed tones.
Analysts are of the view, however, that Governor Soludo may not be disposed to handing over the reins of power when the time comes to one he cannot earn his confidence, especially given his tall vision and agenda for the state. With the Governor’s 50-year development plan for Anambra, Soludo, many believe, is determined to ensure the future of the Light of the Nation State remains a reference point even after he leaves office.
Two gladiators have, however, emerged as those who have the gover’s ears. They include the current Managing Director of South East Development Commission (SEDC), Mr. Mark Okoye. The other is the former Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Chief Osita Chidoka.
Chidoka, from Obosi town in the same Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, is touted to have been considered by the governor for the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) before the lot fell on Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake.
National Assembly seats and 2027 Elections:
At the moment, the ruling APGA-led government under Governor Soludo will have to contend with severe arm-twisting games to be able to wrestle power from the incumbent senators occupying the three senatorial districts of Anambra North, South, and Central Senatorial Districts of the state.
Senator Tony Nwoye is the current senator representing the Anambra North Senatorial District under the umbrella of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). As a fierce politician and businessman, he is going to slug it out with Soludo’s boys, who are working around the clock to edge him out of the seat, but it’s going to be a grueling war come 2027.
Amongst those who want to unseat Nwoye, who is also scheming for a second term, are Chief Primus Odili, an Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area-born politician and former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Willie Obiano; Dr. Alex Obi Ogbolu from Onitsha North Local Government Area. Obi Ogbolu is Governor Soludo’s right-hand man and is currently the Political Adviser to the Governor.
Also in the Senate race is Senator Stella Oduah, a former Aviation Minister under the PDP-led government of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Not left out of the epic contest is Prince John Emeka, who is from Umueze Anam in Anambra East Local Government Area. Incidentally, all the senatorial aspirants from the Anambra North Senatorial District are contesting under the APGA banner.
The current occupant of the seat for Anambra Central is Senator Victor Umeh under the platform of the ADC. Umeh is a close ally of Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra and the 2023 presidential candidate of the LP and presidential hopeful for the 2027 polls.
Aspirants for the same seat next year include Dozie Nwankwo from Enugu Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area (APGA), who was a former member of the House of Representatives. Nwankwo contested the 2023 senatorial race and lost to Senator Victor Umeh of the then LP. He defeated Umeh in the APGA primaries before the latter joined the LP.
Also, Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife is oiling her political machinery and is battle-ready to edge out anyone on her way this time. The Agu Ukwu Nri politician in Anaocha Local Government Area is to set the stage on fire with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Emma Nwachukwu from Nnewi South Local Government Area is the incumbent senator representing the Anambra South Senatorial District of the state under the umbrella of the APGA.
He replaced the late oil magnate and Young Progressive Party (YPP) lawmaker, Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who had represented the zone in the senate before his sudden death.
Others who are jostling for the South Senatorial seat ahead of 2027 under the APGA platform are: Chief Akai Egwuonwu (Nnewi South), Mr. Ifeanyi Muoma, who is believed to be the candidate of Chief Ernest Obiejesi (a.k.a Obi Jackson) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Next Oil Group of Companies Ltd, as well as a seasoned philanthropist.
Not left out in the South Senatorial race is Chief Ebuka Onunkwo, from Ihembosi town in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, and the CEO of Sea Horse Lubricant Industries.
There is also Chief Azuka Okwuosa of the APC, from Oraifite town in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, who is also warming up for the same senatorial contest come next year.
At the moment, no Senatorial aspirant has indicated interest in vying for the senate seat for Anambra North under the APC.
In addition, Chief John Nwosu from Nnewi North is keenly contesting the South Senatorial seat come 2027 under the ADC umbrella. Nwosu was a gubernatorial candidate of the ADC during the November 8, 2025, election in Anambra State, which was won by Soludo.
For next year’s House of Representatives contest, it is going to be a tough battle, but it may not be an all-comers affair in the race to occupy the seats of the eleven federal constituencies of the state at the green chamber of the National Assembly.
As it stands today, the incumbent lawmaker representing Awka North/South is an ADC flag bearer, Anaocha/Njikoka (ADC), Idemili North/South (ADC), Orumba North/South (APGA), Aguata (APGA), Ogbaru (ADC), Anambra East/East (ADC), Onitsha North/South (ADC), Oyi/Ayamelum (APGA), Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo (APGA), and Ihiala (APGA).
The seats are going to be competitive with intense horse trading and grand schemes by the political actors. It holds therefore that henchmen of Governor Soludo and those of his arch political enemy, Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) and currently the ADC presidential aspirant for 2027 polls, will slug it when the time peaks at the polls in the state.
Role of godfathers:
Will the godfathers play a role in 2027? That is the question, but right now, Governor Charles Soludo has emerged as the leader of the ruling APGA and the godfather of the state. He recently confirmed that APGA would not field a presidential candidate in the 2027 elections. His alliance with the APC may well pave the way for candidates of APGA in 2027.
Ebonyi politics heats up as parties prepare for 2027
The political temperature is rising in Ebonyi State as major parties gear up for the 2027 general election. This follows INEC’s announcement in January 2027 as the date for the polls, and four parties – APC, PDP, AA, and ADC – are vying for power.
The APC has emerged as a frontrunner, with key stakeholders like the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim joining forces. This unity has triggered a wave of support for the party, with many loyalists backing Governor Francis Nwifuru’s leadership.
Governor Nwifuru, who assumed office in 2023, has worked closely with Senator Umahi, believed to be the godfather of the state. Umahi’s influence has been felt in federal appointments, with many loyalists securing key positions. This has given Nwifuru space to govern effectively, with minimal distractions.
The development has also boosted the APC’s chances in the 2027 election, with opposition parties struggling to match the party’s strength. However, some APC lawmakers, including Senator Anthony Ani, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District (first timer), Senator Kenneth Eze (First timer), Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (First timer); Idu Igariway (third term) representing Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency, Hon. Chinedu Ogah (second-term rep), Representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency; Pastor Eze Nwachukwu (first timer), who is representing Ohaukwu/Ebonyi Federal Constituency; Chief Emmanuel Uguru (First timer), representing Izzi/Abakaliki Federal Constituency and Hon. Kama Nkemkanma, representing Ohaozara Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency may face stiff competition in the party’s primaries. Umahi is rumored to be backing some alternative candidates.
APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, has assured members of a free and fair primary election. “2027 is critical for our party’s dominance, and we won’t field unpopular candidates,” he said.
Meanwhile, ADC, AA, and PDP are struggling to match the APC’s strength. Dr. Samuel Egwu, former governor, has joined ADC from PDP, but his wife, a key politician, remains in the APC. AA party Chairman, Chief Ozuma, has declared that the party is targeting 85 percent of votes across the key elective offices, aiming to redefine governance through people-centric policies. The PDP has just elected Hon Chukwuma Igwe as chairman. The party has not produced any candidate for now, as no one has declared interest in running in the 2027 elections from the party.
Some APC chieftains, including Chief Nkama Orji Uka, have called on Governor Nwifuru and party leaders to reject alleged moves to grant automatic tickets to serving lawmakers, warning that it would undermine equity and fairness.
However, 2027 appears set for a Governor Francis Nwifuru show, as the opposition looks a distance away.