Dr Collins Ogbu, a lawyer writing from Enugu, published an opinion piece in Premium Times arguing that the South-East region of Nigeria must deliver a unified vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. He asserts that this political continuity is the necessary mechanism to secure the Nigerian presidency for an Igbo candidate by 2039. Ogbu frames the upcoming election not as a choice between parties, but as a strategic decision regarding the region’s destiny and economic integration.
The author contrasts the current administration with the previous twenty-four years of rule by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He states that despite the South-East providing a decisive voting bloc, the region received "Neglect dressed as friendship" under the PDP. He notes that the area saw zero Igbo vice-presidential slots during that era. In contrast, he highlights that President Tinubu has appointed Igbo officers to the highest commands of the military, including Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla and Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, both from Enugu State.
The article details specific infrastructure and institutional developments attributed to the current federal government. Ogbu points to the signing of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) law in 2024 as a historic milestone that provides the region with its own budget and development mandate. He also cites the appointment of Dave Umahi, an Igbo son, to the Ministry of Works, linking it to the near completion of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and other regional corridors. These projects are presented as tangible evidence of the administration’s commitment to the area.
On a state level, the piece praises Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for aligning his state with the APC. Ogbu attributes significant local developments to this alignment, including the construction of 268 Smart Green Schools, the establishment of the Enugu Talent City, and the completion of the Enugu International Hospital. He argues that these achievements demonstrate the benefits of working with the federal center rather than opposing it. The author emphasizes that isolation has historically resulted in minimal budgetary allocation for the region, whereas political reciprocity has unlocked resources. Ogbu urges voters to reject past grievances and vote for the APC at all levels.