The Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-South, Chief Victor Giadom, has said former President Goodluck Jonathan is free to contest the 2027 presidential election but warned that he should not expect the backing of the South-South geopolitical zone.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, with Jonathan among those being speculated as possible contenders. However, speaking in Bere, his hometown in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Giadom stressed that the zone’s political leaders have already taken a collective stand in favour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“It is optional and up to anybody to decide what he wants to do or not do,” Giadom said in an interview with South-South Punch. “Former President Jonathan is free to join the presidential race, but as leaders of this zone, we have taken our position. Our decision is to stand firmly with President Tinubu in 2027.”
According to him, the South-South’s endorsement of Tinubu is based on visible achievements of his administration in the region. He cited the long-abandoned East-West Road project, especially the Eleme section, which he said has witnessed massive progress, and the Bodo-Bonny Road project, now almost 90 percent completed.
“You can drive from Mogo Junction in Ogoni to Bonny in less than 22 minutes once the final work is completed,” Giadom explained. “The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) is also making significant strides in Ogoniland. These are tangible results, and we must appreciate the difference the President is making in the Niger Delta.”
Dismissing speculations that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) poses any threat to Tinubu’s 2027 ambition, Giadom said the party has no political relevance in the South-South. “You can’t find ADC in Gokana or anywhere in this zone. Almost all South-South governors are in the APC. What is left is Bayelsa, and even Bayelsa will soon tilt towards us,” he declared.
Giadom, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Works and ex-Chairman of Gokana LGA, expressed confidence that the APC will record a landslide victory in 2027, describing the South-South as now a “fertile ground” for Tinubu’s re-election.
On the conduct of the recent Rivers State local government elections, Giadom commended the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for delivering a peaceful and credible poll. “Nobody complained of ballot box snatching or violence. This shows Rivers is united behind Tinubu,” he noted.
Also speaking, the re-elected Chairman of Gokana LGA, Hon. Confidence Deko, who contested on the APC platform, praised RSIEC for its performance and the massive turnout of voters in Barako community.
Deko, who voted at Ward 11, Unit 17, said his victory was a reflection of his past achievements in office and the people’s appreciation of President Tinubu’s developmental strides in Ogoniland. “The people are happy with us, and they are saying a big ‘thank you’ to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his love for the Ogoni people,” he added.
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