Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has called on people of the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, describing such support as a strategic political alliance for the region.
Okorocha made the appeal on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television, where he discussed the 2027 presidential election and the ongoing political dispute over the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket for Imo West.
According to the former governor, the South-East should approach the next presidential election with political strategy rather than allowing emotions to determine its decisions.
He argued that supporting Tinubu could create an opportunity for the region to strengthen its political relationship with the ruling party and improve its position in future national political arrangements.
### Okorocha Links Imo West Ticket Dispute To Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign
Okorocha is currently involved in a legal dispute with his successor, Governor Hope Uzodimma, over the APC ticket for Imo West Senatorial District.
While the APC submitted Uzodimma’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its candidate, Okorocha challenged the party’s decision in court, maintaining that he won the primary election.
On Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory High Court ruled that Okorocha secured the highest number of votes in the primary and should be recognised as the winner.
Reacting to the judgment, Okorocha expressed confidence that his presence on the ballot as the APC senatorial candidate would help Tinubu's campaign in Imo State.
“What is important to me now is how Asiwaju will be elected in Imo State. With this, my name coming on the ballot paper now, Asiwaju can be sure that his victory is given in Imo State,” he said.
The former governor also welcomed the court's decision, insisting that the judiciary was not for sale.
He further claimed that Uzodimma had “met his Waterloo” and alleged that the court had pronounced that some of the documents presented in the dispute “were forged”.
### ‘Ndigbo Must Approach 2027 With Strategy’
Making a broader appeal to the South-East, Okorocha urged Igbo political leaders and voters to consider the region’s long-term political interests when deciding their position ahead of the 2027 election.
He cautioned against allowing emotions to overshadow political calculations, describing support for Tinubu as a strategic alliance.
“As Southeasterners, we are not going to politics now with emotions; we have to go to politics with strategy. So, supporting Tinubu for Ndigbo is a strategic alliance.
“We cannot afford to gamble for four years. Any time Nigerians think it is the time for Ndigbo to be president, we should be proper presidents,” he said.
Okorocha’s remarks place the question of South-East political alignment at the centre of the 2027 election conversation, particularly regarding how the region should position itself within the country's wider political structure.
His appeal comes amid ongoing political discussions about the South-East's quest for greater representation at the national level and the region's relationship with the ruling APC.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to generate further debate among political leaders and stakeholders in the South-East over alliances, representation and the region's long-term political interests.
