By Ignatius Ushie
As Nigeria gradually moves towards the 2027 general elections, political parties are already repositioning, strengthening their structures and identifying individuals with the capacity to mobilise support across the country.
For the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the task is particularly strategic. With the opposition intensifying its efforts to challenge the party’s hold on power, the APC is expected to deploy experienced politicians, grassroots mobilisers and influential stakeholders to consolidate its support base ahead of the elections.
Against this backdrop, the recent appointment of Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo as Coordinator of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG) 2.0, South-South Zone, has been described by political observers as a strategic choice.
Idagbo brings to the assignment a combination of political experience, grassroots connections, professional expertise and business exposure that could prove valuable as the APC prepares for the 2027 contest.
A former Council Chairman and former Commissioner for Works in Cross River State, Idagbo also served two terms in the House of Representatives, representing the people of Obudu, Bekwarra and Obanliku Federal Constituency in the National Assembly.
His years in public office have given him considerable exposure to governance, legislative processes and constituency politics, while his grassroots engagements have enabled him to build relationships across political, traditional and community structures.
Beyond politics, Idagbo is a seasoned businessman with interests in oil and gas and real estate, while also practising as a lawyer. His professional background gives him an understanding of both the political and economic dimensions of development.
His new responsibility comes at a time when the South-South region remains an important political theatre ahead of 2027. The region, with its strategic political, economic and demographic significance, will be critical to the fortunes of any party seeking to consolidate national power.
For the APC, Cross River State occupies an important place in that equation. The party’s ability to maintain and expand its influence in the state could have wider implications for its South-South strategy.
It is against this backdrop that Idagbo’s appointment assumes significance. As a son of Cross River and a politician with extensive experience at both the grassroots and national levels, he is expected to bring local knowledge and established networks to the broader mobilisation effort.
The appointment also reflects the growing emphasis on political structures capable of translating national support into grassroots engagement. In an election where voter mobilisation, community relationships and effective communication will be critical, political experience alone may not be enough; the ability to connect with people and build coalitions will matter equally.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political structure, therefore, appears to be placing considerable emphasis on individuals who understand the terrain, command respect within their constituencies and possess the networks required to execute political assignments.
Within this context, Idagbo’s appointment can be viewed as a “round peg in a round hole.”
The former federal lawmaker is not new to political contests or public administration. His experience spans local government administration, state-level executive responsibility and two terms in the National Assembly. That breadth of experience could position him to understand the different layers of political mobilisation required for a major electoral assignment.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the contest is expected to become increasingly competitive, with the APC working to retain its position while opposition parties seek to make significant gains.
For the ruling party, the South-South will undoubtedly be one of the regions where political calculations will be closely watched.
And with Cross River State potentially playing a significant role in that equation, the choice of Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo to coordinate the Tinubu Support Group 2.0 in the South-South may prove to be more than an ordinary political appointment.
It could be a calculated investment in experience, grassroots mobilisation and political relationships at a time when every strategic advantage may count.
For Legor Idagbo, the assignment presents another opportunity to deploy decades of political and public-service experience in a broader national project.
For the APC, it is a statement that as the road to 2027 gathers momentum, no stone is being left unturned in the battle for political relevance and electoral victory across the South-South.
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