By Chesa Chesa
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, has urged the South-East to embrace strategic political alliances and greater participation in national politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nkwocha made the call 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.
The presidential aide said the South-East needed to reassess its political strategy in view of its electoral strength, prevailing national political realities and the development opportunities available through constructive engagement with the Federal Government.
He maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had demonstrated commitment to the region through infrastructure projects, institutional reforms and economic investments, despite the voting pattern in the South-East during the 2023 presidential election.
According to him, the establishment of the South-East Development Commission, reconstruction of major federal highways, improvements in transport infrastructure and other economic initiatives reflected the administration’s commitment to inclusive national development.
Nkwocha argued that the region’s comparatively smaller registered voter population made broader political partnerships and strategic engagement with other geopolitical zones important to its pursuit of national leadership.
He 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.
The presidential aide expressed concern about the implications of any proposed one-term presidency arrangement for the South-East’s long-term political aspirations, questioning whether such an agreement would serve the collective interests of the region.
He urged his kinsmen to support the Tinubu administration and Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasising the importance of grassroots participation in national politics.
“My boss, Vice President Kashim Shettima, is on the ballot. Please support the Vice President,” Nkwocha appealed, referring to the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) to the Imo State Governor, Barrister Enyinnaya Onuegbu, recalled Imerienwe’s longstanding reputation for political organisation and grassroots mobilisation.
“We used to come to Imerienwe to learn how to play politics,” he said, noting that Ngor Okpala had traditionally been recognised for delivering substantial bloc votes during elections.
