Former Enugu State Governor, Barrister Sullivan Chime, has openly backed the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term by South East governors and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting the President has performed well and deserves another chance.
Chime made it clear that he was fully involved in the endorsement process from the beginning, stressing that the decision reflects the collective position of leaders in the region. According to him, there is little doubt that Tinubu and the APC will record a sweeping victory across the South East in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking in Udi during the flag-off of the APC electronic registration exercise in Enugu West Senatorial District on Tuesday, the former governor dismissed critics of the endorsement, saying those opposed would soon “see the light” and accept political reality.
“I am part of the South East, so you can take it for granted that I was part of that endorsement. That decision is ours and we stand by it,” Chime said. He added that President Tinubu’s performance must be viewed within the wider global and African context, noting that current economic challenges are not unique to Nigeria.
The former governor hinted that he would speak more extensively about the 2027 elections in the coming months but expressed confidence that Tinubu would perform strongly when campaign season begins.
Chime also expressed satisfaction with the growing enthusiasm for the APC in Enugu State, describing it as validation of his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the 2015 elections. He argued that recent developments have proven that the APC is now the dominant political force in the state.
He further praised party leaders in Enugu for their commitment to exceeding the two-million membership target set for the ongoing e-registration exercise, insisting the benchmark would be surpassed with ease given the level of grassroots support.
Chairmen of several local government areas in Enugu West echoed Chime’s optimism, pledging to mobilise aggressively at ward and community levels to boost APC membership. They credited Governor Peter Mbah’s performance for driving public support, saying residents are firmly aligned with his political direction and that of President Tinubu.
It will be recalled that governors from Enugu, Imo, and Ebonyi states, alongside other APC stakeholders from the South East, formally adopted President Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election during a regional meeting last weekend.
