Anyim says Southeast needs regional alliance to win Nigeria's presidency
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim stated that no individual from Nigeria's Southeast can become president without forming an alliance with other regions. He made the comment while explaining his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Anyim, now a supporter of President Bola Tinubu's bid for a second term, said the Southeast must wait for the zoning arrangement to rotate back to the South after Tinubu's term and a subsequent northern presidency, which would be about eight years from now.
He told Arise News that personal effort alone cannot secure the presidency for the Southeast, emphasizing that cross-regional cooperation is essential. Anyim also noted that the same principle applies to every geo-political zone in the country. The statement comes as Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate from the Southeast, remains a prominent contender in the upcoming election.
For Southeast politicians and voters, the remark highlights the strategic importance of building alliances rather than relying solely on regional solidarity. It also underscores how Nigeria's informal power-sharing pattern continues to shape party choices and electoral calculations.
Given this zoning reality, will Southeast political aspirants pursue cross-regional alliances to strengthen their 2027 bids, or continue to bet on a solo run despite the historical pattern?