Governors and leaders of the All Progressive Congress in the South-South have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office.

The position was made known during the APC’s stakeholders interactive session held in Benin City, Edo State, at the weekend.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, prominent figures extolled the President’s leadership qualities and threw their weight behind him to continue his Renewed Hope Agenda in 2027.

This, they believed, would help him to solidify his developmental strides and put the country on the path of continuous growth.

Prominent speakers at the event included Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo; Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, who spoke on behalf of the APC governors in the region; Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District and Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh.

Also at the event were former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva; Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku; Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dennis Idahosa; Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku; Secretary to Edo State Government, Umar Ikhilor; the APC National Woman Leader, Mary Alile; Edo State Chairman of APC, Jarret Tenebe; and Edo South leader, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The various speakers passed a vote of confidence in both Okpebholo and Tinubu.

They highlighted various reforms currently underway in the country, including the student loan initiative and the exemption of low-income earners from tax payments, as key achievements of the current administration.

Okpebholo expressed his gratitude to his fellow governors, emphasising the unprecedented unity displayed by their gathering in Benin City.

He added, “This is the first time we are seeing unity among the governors coming together in a single room to discuss the progress of this country.”

The governor described Tinubu as a “capacity working President” who has made “requirements available for us to operate seamlessly.”

He highlighted the President’s “critical reforms” aimed at moving Nigeria forward, noting that “things you think are difficult are made easy through his policies.”

The governor reiterated his earlier pledge to deliver 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in Edo State in 2027.

Dismissing scepticism from opposition parties, he asserted, “How will it not happen when I am already working, constructing good roads?”

He cited the ongoing construction of roads linking eight communities in Uhunmwonde, including a road leading to the village of the immediate-past governor, Godwin Obaseki, which was neglected for eight years.

“If the President is not behind us, such development cannot happen,” Okpebholo affirmed, declaring that “2027 is settled in Edo State as a way to pay him back for his support.”

He reiterated his strong support for Tinubu, citing the ongoing road constructions across the country and various economic reforms as evidence of the President’s “big heart” and love for Nigeria.

“Anywhere he goes, we go,” he added.