Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), has called on the South-East to embrace strategic political alliances and greater participation in national politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nkwocha made the appeal on Saturday during an APC sensitisation meeting in Imerienwe Ward 5, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, where party leaders and supporters pledged to strengthen the ruling party at the grassroots.
He said the South-East should reassess its political strategy in view of its electoral strength and the opportunities available through constructive engagement with the Federal Government.
According to him, the Tinubu administration has demonstrated commitment to the region through projects such as the South-East Development Commission, federal road reconstruction and other economic initiatives.
Nkwocha argued that the region’s relatively smaller voting population makes strategic political partnerships with other parts of the country necessary in its quest for national leadership.
The presidential aide also questioned reports of a possible political alliance involving former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He expressed concern over any reported one-term presidency arrangement, saying the South-East must protect its long-term political interests.
Nkwocha urged the people to support President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2027 elections, noting that the Vice President would be seeking re-election alongside the President.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) to the Imo State Governor, Barrister Enyinnaya Onuegbu, praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for infrastructure development, including improvements that now allow night flight operations at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.
Community leaders, including Chief Sylvester Okenze Obinna and retired Air Vice Marshal Remigius Ekeh, called for unity and strategic political engagement, while Village Chairman Ifeanyi Nwaiwu announced that political groups across seven communities had resolved to collapse their structures into the APC and pledged support for the party ahead of the 2027 polls.