Former Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure substantial votes from the South-East in the 2027 election.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Shittu dismissed suggestions that the so-called “Obi factor” will dent the president’s prospects in the region.
He said voters in the South-East were shifting toward the All Progressives Congress.
“If you know the amount of votes that will be coming from even the South-East for APC, you’ll be shocked,” he said.
He mentioned the influence of figures such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Works Minister Dave Umahi, who will persuade voters to “come the Tinubu route.”
Asked whether Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, still shaped political happenings in the South-East, Shittu was dismissive.
“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “What is important is for him [Tinubu] to win. Even if to win by 10 votes, I can assure you that Bola Ahmed Tinubu is going to win.”
Shittu acknowledged the economic difficulties Nigerians are facing, including rising fuel costs and the naira’s depreciation, but argued the hardship reflected longstanding mismanagement and said Tinubu’s policies would deliver benefits over time.
“Nigerians are not finding it easy. But I want to say this with authority and sincerity: a lot of the initiatives of Tinubu now, Nigerians will come to thank him sooner than later,” he added.
Shittu’s comments come amid ongoing political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections, as parties and regional power brokers seek to consolidate support across Nigeria’s diverse geopolitical zones.
Many politicians from the APC and the opposition have already announced support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
On Wednesday, PUNCH Online reported that Abdulmumin Jibrin, an NNPP House of Representatives member, expressed confidence in Tinubu’s victory in 2027. Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo (APGA) had declared similar support.
Meanwhile, opposition politicians like former vice president Atiku Abubakar have come under the coalition of the African Democratic Congress to challenge Tinubu’s ruling party.
PUNCH.
