A faction of the Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the North not to trust the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, with their votes in the 2027 election.
In a statement signed by its Deputy President General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, he said: “With the utmost respect and unflinching candour, we must assert that Mr Obi currently lacks the political tenacity and the requisite ruthlessness essential to unseat a seasoned politician and incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the forthcoming 2027 elections. …CONTINUE READING
“To allow the Igbo people to be lured into ill-prepared political battles under your leadership would be disastrous, posing a grave threat to our collective survival. Such a scenario could render us political sacrificial lambs, further entrenching the stigma that identifies us as the most endangered group in Nigeria should you falter in your electoral pursuits.
“It is essential to pause and reflect on the troubling question: why are the Igbos frequently regarded with disdain in Nigeria? Can we truly comprehend how a tribe once esteemed and revered, with illustrious forebears such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dr. Francis Akanu Ibiam, and Dr. Jaja Wachuku, has been relegated from a position of prominence to one of inconsequence, now classified as a majority within a minority?
“This sobering reality demands our immediate and undivided attention. The political miscalculations of figures like Mr. Peter Obi have significantly contributed to our current predicament. We must not shy away from articulating this bitter truth: the Igbo people are weary of languishing in opposition politics under Mr. Obi’s leadership for over a decade.
“In response to the inquiries from three Northern groups regarding the potential reactivation of the Eastern-Northern Alliance of the First Republic, as well as their concerns about Mr. Obi’s associations with secessionist activists in the Southeast, we wish to clarify our position unequivocally.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains open to any arrangement that will enable Igbos to conduct their legitimate businesses without facing discriminatory state policies or being unjustly targeted as an endangered community. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the unity of Nigeria, pledging our loyalty to the Constitution of Nigeria and extending our total allegiance to all constitutionally elected offices, including the presidency currently held by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Regarding the second inquiry from Northern leadership concerning Mr. Peter Obi’s trustworthiness with political power and his capacity to defend and uphold the territorial integrity and dignity of Nigeria as a united entity, we must express our reservations candidly.
The actions and inactions of Mr. Obi raise significant concerns regarding his ability to maintain Nigeria’s unity. Should he ascend to the presidency, the very fabric of our nation could be imperilled, potentially leading to its fragmentation into three distinct entities.
“As we approach the pivotal elections of 2027, we implore all stakeholders to engage in thoughtful reflection regarding the implications of their political choices. The future of our great nation hinges upon prudent decision-making and an unwavering commitment to its unity.
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