By Isaac Mission 

Political activity is gathering momentum across the South-East as major political parties begin strengthening their structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC, ADC, Labour Party, APGA, NDC and other political platforms are positioning themselves for what is expected to be a closely fought contest, with parties placing increasing emphasis on grassroots mobilisation, credible candidates, zoning and protection of votes.

Across Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu and Imo states, party officials have outlined different strategies for winning voters, while recent developments from the Osun governorship election have also renewed discussions about electronic result transmission, electoral transparency and the importance of strong polling-unit structures.

Enugu: Parties bank on projects, zoning and grassroots mobilisation

In Enugu State, the APC is seeking to build its 2027 campaign around the performance of Governor Peter Mbah, while the ADC is emphasising zoning and grassroots organisation. The NDC, meanwhile, says it is developing a broad-based structure designed to compete at every level of the electoral process.

The APC state publicity secretary, Chief Uche Obute, said the party would embark on extensive mobilisation across the state to present the achievements of the Mbah administration to voters.

He cited projects in the state's 260 wards, including smart schools and primary healthcare facilities, as well as major developments such as the International Conference Centre and Enugu Air. According to him, the projects have helped reposition Enugu beyond its traditional dependence on the civil service.

Obute expressed confidence that the APC would dominate the 2027 elections, arguing that the achievements of the current administration would make it difficult for opposition parties to convince voters that they had better alternatives.

He also dismissed concerns over the APC's defeat in the recent Osun election, saying the party's priority remained the credibility of elections and ensuring that voters' choices were respected.

The ADC is approaching the Enugu contest from another direction, with the party highlighting its grassroots structures and its decision to zone its governorship ticket to Enugu North Senatorial District.

The party's legacy chairman in the state said ADC had established structures from the polling-unit level through to the state level. He maintained that the party was better prepared than it had been previously and was confident of securing a number of elective positions.

He identified the party's candidates, support base and the zoning arrangement as major advantages. He also argued that Enugu North, particularly the Nsukka axis, deserved an opportunity to produce the governor after what he described as years of political marginalisation.

The ADC said its campaign would focus on its manifesto and proposed policies rather than personal attacks against opponents. The party also said lessons from the Osun election had reinforced the need for properly trained electoral agents and effective monitoring of results.

For the NDC, the emphasis is firmly on grassroots organisation.

The party's Enugu chairman, Johnpaul Ani, said its preparations were not limited to the traditional last-minute mobilisation associated with election seasons. He said the party had been developing structures across the state's 17 local government areas, wards and polling units.

According to him, the structures are intended to cover the entire electoral chain — from voter mobilisation and polling to result transmission, collation and possible legal challenges.

Ani said the party believed it could win Enugu, pointing to what he described as a more politically conscious electorate that was increasingly concerned about competence, accountability, jobs, security, education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

He added that the NDC was engaging young people, professionals, traders, farmers, women, students and communities across the state.

On the Osun election, Ani said the use of the IReV result-viewing platform had increased public access to polling-unit results. However, he stressed that technology alone could not guarantee credible elections and that parties must maintain strong structures at polling-unit level.

Imo: Opposition parties prepare for 2027 contests

Political parties in Imo State are also stepping up preparations following the lifting of the campaign restriction by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The ADC, All Peoples Party and NDC have all announced mobilisation activities ahead of the presidential and National Assembly elections.

The ADC's publicity secretary, Ayozie Uchechukwu Ronald, said the party had begun activating its structures across the state, although he clarified that its formal campaign had not yet commenced.

He disclosed that the party started a statewide tour of Imo's 27 local government areas on August 19, 2026. The exercise, according to him, is aimed at meeting grassroots supporters and stakeholders while preparing the party for the main campaign season.

The party is also expected to hold a strategic meeting with its candidates before unveiling its campaign council.

The All Peoples Party also declared that it was prepared for the elections. Its spokesperson, Steve Nnadi, said the party was ready to present its candidates to voters and compete strongly for victory.

The party's state leader and Imo East senatorial candidate, Dr Chima Matthew Amadi, said APP would focus on issues rather than slogans or inducements.

He said consultations with traders, farmers and artisans in areas including Owerri, Ngor Okpala and Mbaise had contributed to the development of the party's manifesto.

Amadi also warned against intimidation of APP supporters or disruption of its activities, saying the party would use lawful means to defend its members, agents and votes.

The NDC is similarly targeting extensive grassroots mobilisation.

Its Imo chairman, Professor James Okoroma, referred to the Osun election as evidence that voters remain central to determining electoral outcomes. He said the party was preparing for a major mobilisation exercise across the state and would resist attempts to manipulate election results.

South-East race likely to be decided on the ground

The developments across the four South-East states point to an increasingly competitive political environment ahead of 2027.

While the APC is highlighting the performance of incumbent administrations and relying on its established political machinery, opposition parties are seeking to exploit grassroots networks, zoning arrangements, candidate popularity and growing voter interest in governance issues.

The parties are also paying greater attention to the mechanics of elections, particularly the protection and transmission of results.

Beyond campaign rallies and media appearances, the coming contest is expected to place significant emphasis on polling-unit agents, voter mobilisation and community-level organisation.

However, concerns over political violence — particularly developments reported in Ebonyi State — remain a major concern as political activities increase across the region.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the South-East is therefore shaping up for a political contest in which organisation, candidate credibility, grassroots support and the ability to protect votes could prove as important as campaign promises.