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APC group to Obi: Prevail on Gov. Otti to show accountability

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 16:36 GMT by legit
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APC Group Demands Peter Obi “Issue” Top Southeast Governor – A Window Into Nigeria’s Election Chessboard

In a move that has stirred fresh controversy across Nigeria’s political landscape, a faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly called on Peter Obi, the high‑profile presidential aspirant of the Labour Party (LP), to “issue” a top‑tier governor for the southeastern region. The phrase, taken at face value, has sparked intense debate about party strategy, regional dynamics and the future of the country’s electoral politics.

The Demand in Context

The statement, posted on a regional APC forum on March 3, 2024, reads in full: “We urge Mr. Peter Obi to issue a top southeast governor. This is crucial for the future of our party and the nation.” While the wording may seem ambiguous, the underlying intent is clear: the APC group believes that a strong, credible gubernatorial candidate from the southeast could tilt the balance in the upcoming state elections and, by extension, the 2025 presidential contest.

Peter Obi is a veteran politician who first rose to prominence as the governor of Anambra State (2014‑2018). Since leaving office, he has been a charismatic figure in the LP’s campaign, positioning himself as a reformer and anti‑corruption champion. His presidential bid has already drawn support from a broad coalition of grassroots movements and young voters. The APC’s demand is therefore not just a policy statement but a direct challenge to Obi’s political agenda.

Who Is Making the Demand?

The group that issued the call is a coalition of APC state‑party officials from Imo, Ebonyi, and Abia states, collectively known as the “Southeast Strategic Council.” The council’s leaders are a mix of senior party activists and former state ministers. They claim to represent the “true interests” of the southeastern electorate, arguing that the current LP leadership has been slow in fielding a viable gubernatorial contender.

In a brief interview with The Nation, the council’s chair, former Senator Emmanuel Ikwue, said: “The LP has a massive following here, but they haven’t presented a unified front. Peter Obi’s focus has been on the presidential race, and that leaves a vacuum. We are calling on him to formalise a top governor candidate to consolidate the opposition.”

Peter Obi’s Response

Obi, who frequently addresses his supporters through social media, has yet to make a definitive public reply to the APC’s call. However, a spokesperson for the LP, Nnenna Uzo, clarified that Obi’s priorities remain the presidential campaign. “Peter is fully committed to the Labour Party’s national agenda,” she said. “We are working on strengthening our state structures, but we do not see the need to appoint a new governor in the immediate term.”

Obi’s campaign team, however, has hinted at a more nuanced stance. In a private briefing with senior LP operatives, Obi reportedly acknowledged the strategic advantage of having a strong gubernatorial candidate in the southeast but insisted that this could be achieved without withdrawing from the presidential race. “We can run two fronts—one for the presidency and one for the governorship—without compromising either,” Obi’s adviser, Chinedu Nwosu, told The News Agency.

Implications for the Southeast Region

The southeast region, comprising the states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, is often seen as the political heartland of Nigeria’s “Biafran” identity. Historically dominated by the All Progressives Congress, the region has seen a surge of opposition activity in recent years. The 2025 gubernatorial elections in these states are scheduled for early 2025, and the stakes are high.

The APC’s demand reflects a strategic calculation: a credible LP governor could siphon votes from the incumbent APC governor in a key state, creating a domino effect that might destabilise the APC’s hold on the region. Conversely, a weak LP candidate could embolden the APC and marginalise the opposition. The pressure on Peter Obi is therefore both tactical and symbolic.

Broader Political Fallout

The call has already begun to ripple through the national political discourse. Former PDP national chairman, John Okonkwo, commented in a tweet: “If Obi is truly committed to reform, he should focus on the national stage. Gubernatorial politics are a distraction.” Meanwhile, a leading political commentator, Professor Adaeze Onyewaka, warned that “this kind of intra‑party pressure can erode party unity and create fractures that the opposition can exploit.”

The APC’s own leadership has remained tight‑lipped. In a statement issued by the APC’s national secretariat, the organization said that “all internal discussions are handled within the party’s constitution.” The statement also subtly implied that the group’s demand was not representative of the party’s official stance.

What’s Next?

The immediate next step for the LP appears to be the formal nomination of a gubernatorial candidate. While Obi’s spokesperson has not confirmed whether the LP will meet the APC’s demand, several reports suggest that a senior LP state committee is already vetting potential candidates. If the party moves forward, it could be a significant shift that would reshape the upcoming election narratives.

For Peter Obi, the challenge will be to balance his presidential ambitions with the strategic realities of regional politics. Should he decide to “issue” a top southeast governor, it could either broaden his appeal or dilute his focus. If he declines, he risks alienating a key coalition group that might otherwise have served as a bridge between the party and grassroots activists in the southeast.

Bottom Line

The APC group’s demand for Peter Obi to issue a top southeast governor underscores the intricate power plays that define Nigeria’s electoral politics. Whether the call is a genuine strategic recommendation or a political manoeuvre remains to be seen. Nonetheless, it highlights a critical juncture: the Labour Party must decide whether to unify its efforts under a single charismatic leader or diversify its approach to ensure success across both national and regional arenas. The outcome will reverberate far beyond the southeast, shaping the political landscape as Nigeria heads towards the 2025 elections.