By AMAKA OHAFIAH

2027: APC, ADC, NDC, LP, Others Mobilise for South-East Showdown

POLITICAL parties across the South-East are intensifying preparations for the 2027 elections, with the APC, ADC, NDC, Labour Party, APGA, APP and other parties activating their structures for what promises to be a competitive contest.

In Abia, Imo, Enugu and Ebonyi states, parties are combining grassroots mobilisation with issue-based campaigns, zoning arrangements and strategies to protect votes.

The preparations are also unfolding against the backdrop of concerns over political violence, particularly in Ebonyi State.

Abia Opposition Raises the Stakes

In Abia State, the Action People’s Party governorship candidate, retired Major General Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma, expressed confidence in his chances of defeating the incumbent administration.

He promised to prioritise workers’ welfare and confront insecurity if elected.

Meanwhile, Stanley Okorie, an aide to Labour Party candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Chief Chima Anyaso, warned politicians against relying on electoral manipulation.

He argued that voters would insist on having their ballots counted. According to him, the recent Osun experience showed that the electorate could not be permanently intimidated, bought or manipulated.

APC Banks on Mbah’s Performance in Enugu

In Enugu State, the APC is building its campaign around the performance of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.

The party’s state publicity secretary, Chief Uche Obute, said the APC would take its campaign across the state to showcase projects in all 260 wards.

He cited smart schools, primary healthcare centres, the International Conference Centre and Enugu Air among projects he said had changed the state’s economic profile.

Obute maintained that the APC faced no serious opposition in the state. He predicted victories for the party in the forthcoming local government elections and the 2027 general elections.

On the Osun election, he said the APC accepted the result and remained committed to ensuring that voters’ choices count.

ADC Builds on Zoning & Grassroots Support

The ADC is taking a different approach in Enugu.

Its state legacy chairman said the party had established structures from polling units to the state level.

He identified the party’s candidates, grassroots support and zoning of the governorship ticket to Enugu North as major components of its strategy.

The party’s governorship candidate, Pastor Ozoemena Ojiofor, was described as a credible candidate with strong grassroots appeal.

Rather than relying on personality attacks, the ADC said it would campaign on its manifesto and proposed policies.

The party is also training its agents to monitor results and electoral materials following lessons from the Osun election.

NDC Pushes Issue-Based Campaign

The NDC is equally building its campaign around grassroots organisation.

Its Enugu State chairman, Johnpaul Ani, said the party had established structures across the state’s 17 local government areas, wards and polling units.

He said the structures would cover the entire electoral process, from voter mobilisation to polling, result transmission, collation and possible legal challenges.

Ani said the party would focus on issues including security, education, healthcare, economic opportunities, accountability and good governance.

He added that the NDC was engaging young people, professionals, traders, farmers, women, students and communities.

Imo Parties Activate Campaign Machinery

In Imo State, opposition parties have begun activating their structures following the lifting of the campaign ban by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The ADC said its full campaign had yet to formally begin but disclosed that mobilisation was already underway across the state.

The party began a statewide tour of the 27 local government areas on August 19, 2026. The exercise is aimed at engaging members and grassroots stakeholders ahead of the campaign season.

The APP also declared its readiness to contest the elections.

Its state leader and Imo East senatorial candidate, Chima Matthew Amadi, said the party would defend every vote and campaign on ideas rather than vote buying or empty slogans.

The NDC is also preparing for a major mobilisation drive in the state. Its chairman, Professor James Okoroma, said the party would resist attempts to manipulate the electoral process.

Ground Game Takes Centre Stage

Across the four South-East states, the emerging political contest is increasingly centred on grassroots organisation.

Parties are building polling-unit structures, courting communities and highlighting candidates and policy proposals.

However, the reported incidents of political violence in Ebonyi have raised concerns about the safety of the electoral process.

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the battle in the region is expected to extend beyond rallies and campaign messages to the crucial ground game of voter mobilisation, polling-unit organisation and protection of electoral results.