According to a report by The Sun published on May 14, 2026, Prince Paul Ikonne, an aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Abia South Senatorial District, has expressed strong confidence in his ability to stop Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe from returning to the Senate after the 2027 general elections.………
Ikonne stated that many residents and political stakeholders in the district have already decided against supporting Abaribe for another term. He argued that the senator’s long stay in the National Assembly, which spans nearly two decades, has not translated into meaningful development projects or visible infrastructural improvements across the district.
The APC chieftain maintained that the people of Abia South are increasingly demanding a new direction in leadership. According to him, constituents believe that after many years of representation, there should be tangible projects and developmental achievements that directly impact the lives of the people.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Ikonne also dismissed the idea of a single four-year presidential tenure, a proposal previously associated with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. He insisted that whenever the South East eventually produces a president, the region deserves the same opportunity to complete two terms, similar to leaders from other geopolitical zones.
Ikonne further revealed that governors and influential political leaders across the South East, including Abia State Governor Alex Otti, are backing President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027. He noted that grassroots mobilisation efforts are already underway through a support structure known as “Asiwaju Tsunami in 2027,” which was introduced in Abia State to strengthen support for Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election.
The former Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) added that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has also initiated strategies to mobilise Igbos nationwide in support of Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
He said, “The Igbos will not make that mistake and we will not be deceived to say let people come just for four years, to do what exactly? It may take him (Obi) two years to appoint his Ministers. Before they will finish taking him round the Villa, finish meeting with the Permanent Secretaries and all that, four years will be over.”…....…
