A pro-Rabiu Kwankwaso political group in the South East has dismissed claims by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma that the region has already aligned behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking at a press conference in Umuahia, Abia State, the South East Coordinator of the Kwankwaso National Network (KNN), Dr. Ukpai Ukpai, said the governor’s statement does not represent the views or political decision of the people of the South East.
According to him, no governor has the authority to decide the voting direction of the entire region, insisting that such a decision belongs to the electorate.
Dr. Ukpai revealed that KNN, alongside its political partners, is working towards delivering at least five million votes from the South East for a proposed Peter Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket in the 2027 election.
He praised Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso for reportedly setting aside his own presidential ambition in support of a joint ticket with Peter Obi, describing it as a move aimed at strengthening the opposition and offering Nigerians an alternative political direction.
The group said its target is to mobilise one million votes from each of the five South East states, expressing confidence that the region can surpass Peter Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election.
KNN also stated that it has begun putting strategies in place to achieve its goal and protect votes during the 2027 polls.
The group warned against any attempt to manipulate election results, calling on electoral authorities to ensure that the technical issues reported during the 2023 elections are not repeated.
According to the coordinator, every vote must count, adding that the South East is determined to defend the will of its voters when Nigerians return to the polls in 2027.
