APC South-South elects leaders, targets 2027 elections

Etim Ekpimah

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South has elected a new Zonal Executive Committee following a successful congress held on Wednesday in Asaba, Delta State.
The congress, which attracted top party figures including the Senate President, governors, lawmakers, and delegates from the region, was conducted through a consensus arrangement, underscoring the party’s commitment to unity and internal cohesion.
Proceedings began with a motion for the dissolution of the outgoing Zonal Executive Committee, moved by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere. The motion was unanimously adopted.
A subsequent motion to adopt consensus as the method for electing new officers was moved by Senator Essien Williams of Cross River State and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North-East. This was also unanimously approved by delegates.
At the end of the exercise, Chief Victor Giadom emerged as National Vice Chairman (South-South). Other officials elected include Dr Ita Udosen as Zonal Secretary, Neworld Safugha as Legal Adviser, Dr Samuel Nwanosike as Publicity Secretary, Prince Urhoro Koyoyo as Youth Leader, Hon Suobankuo Omoni as Women Leader, Hon. Prince Edward as Organising Secretary, and Prince Ayo Peter as representative of Persons with Disabilities.
In his remarks, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commended the region for its growing unity and political consolidation within the APC.
He noted that the South-South had evolved from having minimal APC presence to becoming a formidable political bloc, with increasing alignment among governors and key stakeholders. Akpabio urged party members to position the region as the highest vote-delivering zone for the APC in the 2027 general election, describing the target as both achievable and necessary.
Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, welcomed delegates to Asaba and described the congress as a clear demonstration of the party’s strength, unity and preparedness for future political contests.
He emphasised the need for sustained grassroots mobilisation, urging members to deepen internal cohesion, strengthen party structures at all levels and maintain close engagement with the electorate.
Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, also highlighted the importance of unity, noting that the adoption of consensus would help reduce internal disputes and promote collective ownership within the party.
He added that, for the first time in recent political history, the South-South was speaking with one voice, stressing that the full attendance of governors at the congress reflected a shared commitment to the region’s development.
Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State), Bassey Otu (Cross River State), Monday Okpebholo (Edo State) and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State), in separate remarks, echoed the need for the zone to align with the government at the centre.
Earlier, Chief Victor Giadom thanked party leaders and stakeholders for their support during his tenure, highlighting the party’s progress in the region, including electoral gains and broader political alignment.
In his acceptance speech, Giadom, who was re-elected, expressed optimism that the APC would continue to expand its influence ahead of the 2027 elections and achieve greater success.
The congress was attended by members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, ministers, senior government officials, party leaders and stakeholders from across the zone.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by party leaders and members to strengthen unity, expand grassroots support and consolidate the APC’s growing influence in the South-South.