Congress: Akpabio tasks South-South to deliver highest votes for Tinubu

2026-03-25 - 18:14

By Henry Umoru The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has tasked the people of the South-South geo-political zone of the country to deliver the highest votes for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2017. Speaking on Wednesday at the All Progressives Congress(APC) South-South Zonal Congress, which was held in Asaba, Delta State, with all the Governors of the six States in the South-South present at the event, Akpabio thanked President Tinubu and the APC for recognising the South-South zone after about 45 years during which the zone last had an opportunity to produce a Senate President. In a statement from his Media Office, the President of the Senate who noted that the APC had treated the South-South very well and that the people in the zone had equally reciprocated by joining the party, recalled how, in 2023, APC in South-South started with just one Governor, the Cross River State Governor, but now having in its fold all the six Governors in the zone. “Now Governor of Cross River State, you are no longer alone. All these achievements, to have all these Governors coming together in the South-South was made possible by the fact that the Zonal leadership of the party under Victor Giadom has been steady, steadfast and focus. “So the President said l should particularly thank the South-South. It is not whether you are going to win in 2027, because you cannot be escorted by lions and you become afraid of goats. “Now that we are complete and we are focused, the question then will be: What quantum of votes will the South-South give to the APC? “So turn to the person by your side. Challenge the person. Say we will give the highest votes among the six zones in Nigeria. We will give the highest. “APC has treated us very well, and we have reciprocated by joining the party. Imagine the last time we had a Senate President from this zone, Joseph Wayas, about 45 years ago. “So under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the South-South is now recognised. We are on the table. You cannot have a brother at the table, and you go and carry last. Can South-South carry last? So we thank the APC for recognising the South-South and giving us this position of the Senate President,” Akpabio said. Speaking on the call for the creation of Anioma State, the President of the Senate, who threw his weight behind the project, announced that the New State will be created with its headquarters in Asaba and that Warri will be the capital of the new Delta State. Akpabio said, “But if that is the only demand from the South-South for state creation, I will support it. Your Excellency, the governor of Delta if it is affecting Delta, see how it will be. For the Anioma state, the capital will be in Asaba. And for Delta State proper, the capital will be in Warri. “It is not a problem. I don’t think we should be afraid. The more states we have, the more development we have. So, assuming it passes in the various Houses of Assembly, it simply means we will have one additional state, and that means that state will be good and progressive for the southeastern part of Nigeria.” Also speaking at the commencement of the programme, the host Governor Sheriff Oborevwori 1of Delta State spoke of the importance of the zone when he said that “South-South is very key to this nation and this is the first time the South-South is coming together under one party. “Today is not just another political gathering. It is a declaration that the APC in South-South is united, organised and ready for the future. “We have demonstrated that the APC remains the most structured and democratic Party in Nigeria. We must continue to deepen our unity, strengthen our structures in every ward, local government and stay firmly connected to the grassroots.” The highlight of the event was the election, by consensus, of the new South-South Zonal executive of the Party, which re-elected Chief Victor Giadom as the South-South National Vice Chairman. Other members of the new executive are: Dr. Ita Udosen(Zonal Secretary), Hon. Barr. Safugha Newword(Legal Adviser), Dr Samuel Nwanosike(Publicity Secretary), Prince Koyoyo Uhrorho(Youth Leader), Hon. Sodangwuo Omoni(Women Leader), Hon. Prince Edward Ajang)Organising Secretary) and Prince Ayo Peter Olowojoba(Leader, People Living with Disability).