Leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the South-East geopolitical zone have endorsed the position of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF, to support all candidates of the party in the 2027 general elections.
The South-East leaders also condemned the recent verbal attacks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, against governors elected on the platform of the APC.
The position was contained in a joint press statement signed by the APC National Vice Chairman, South-East, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, and the state chairmen of the party in the five South-East states: Senator Emmanuel Anosike, Anambra; Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, Abia; Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha, Ebonyi; Dr. Martin Chukwunwike, Enugu; and Chief Austin Onyedebelu, Imo State.
According to the statement, the South-East APC leadership is firmly and unequivocally aligned with the PGF’s decision to ensure unwavering support for all APC candidates at all levels, from the Presidency to Senate, House of Representatives, Governorship and State Houses of Assembly in 2027.
The leaders described the PGF’s position as a deliberate and strategic move to secure total victory for the party in the forthcoming elections, calling on all organs, leaders and members of the party to embrace and implement it.
The statement criticised Wike over what it described as unprovoked and undignified attacks on the Progressive Governors’ Forum.
“We find the recent unprovoked, undignified and reckless attacks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on the Progressive Governors’ Forum most unfortunate, reprehensible and completely unacceptable,” the statement said.
The South-East APC leaders said Wike’s insults were directed at high-performing governors who delivered over 25 percent of votes for President Bola Tinubu in their respective states and have recorded measurable development in infrastructure, security and governance.
“Progressive Governors are not abstract politicians; they are performing leaders whose records speak for themselves. To insult them is to insult the very progress and good governance that the APC represents,” the statement added.
The party leaders further stated that the governors are independent elected leaders who cannot be blackmailed, adding that Wike should not treat other states like Rivers State which he controlled as his personal estate.
They aligned with APC stakeholders and groups who described Wike’s conduct as aggressive and destructive to party structures, noting that Wike failed to deliver his G5 allies in Enugu, Abia and Benue States during the last elections.
The statement also alleged that the presentation of what it called sloppy result sheets by Wike was strong evidence that almost cost the President’s victory in court.
It accused the FCT Minister of plotting to remove sitting progressive governors in 2027 while projecting himself as a co-president within an APC-led presidency.
“No Minister has the right to arrogate to himself such a status, as if the Progressive Governors exist at his pleasure,” the statement said.
The South-East APC called on Wike to desist from further attacks on the PGF, withdraw his comments and return to party discipline, mutual respect and collective responsibility.
“The APC is bigger than any individual. The Progressive Governors’ Forum represents the authentic voice of the party’s executive leadership across the states,” the leaders said.
They reaffirmed their support for all APC candidates in the 2027 elections, from the President to State Assembly members, and rejected what they termed a rainbow and chameleon coalition, insisting that such a coalition would not be allowed to encroach into the South-East.
“Enough is enough. Wike should restrict his rainbow coalition to Rivers State and must not attempt to encroach into any South East State,” the statement concluded.
The joint statement was signed by Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, National Vice Chairman (South East), Senator Emmanuel Anosike (Anambra), Hon. Chijioke Chukwu (Abia), Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha (Ebonyi), Dr. Martin Chukwunwike (Enugu), and Chief Austin Onyedebelu (Imo), on behalf of the APC leadership in the South East.
