A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has called on Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, to allow President Bola Tinubu to complete a potential second term in office.
The faction stated that the South-East region’s aspirations for the presidency cannot be realized through Obi’s continued pursuit.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Deputy President-General, reflected on the 2019 general election, asserting that the joint Atiku-Obi ticket cost the South-East the promise of a sixth state, a pledge reportedly made by former President Muhammadu Buhari in exchange for Igbo leaders’ support.
Isiguzoro’s statement further highlighted that despite the South-East serving as a strong base for the Labour Party in 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has demonstrably made progress in addressing the region’s infrastructural deficiencies since assuming office.
“The appointment of Engr. David Umahi as the Minister of Works, tasked with the critical mandate of rehabilitating the South-East’s dilapidated federal road projects, exemplifies this commitment. Furthermore, under President Tinubu’s leadership, federal allocations to the South-East have tripled, benefiting all five South-East governors, irrespective of their diverse political affiliations.
“In light of these uncomfortable realities, Ohanaeze passionately urges Mr Obi to reconsider his aspirations for the presidency in 2027. The current political dynamics, exacerbated by Atiku Abubakar’s relentless pursuit of an octogenarian presidency at the age of 81, coupled with his ambiguous support for Mr Obi, suggest that their candidacies may ultimately divide the votes of the opposition, thereby facilitating a triumphant re-election for President Tinubu. Such a scenario would undoubtedly have adverse repercussions for the South-East.
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“This candid truth may be a bitter pill for Mr Obi to swallow, yet it is essential for him to engage in a profound reassessment of his ambitions. We implore him to relinquish his presidential aspirations in favour of negotiating for the pressing needs of the South-East. It is in the best interest of our region that Mr Obi summon his righteous resolve to support President Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027, particularly in light of the infrastructural developments spearheaded by Umahi and the collective bargaining efforts of the South-East.”
Isiguzoro, in the statement, urged Obi to prioritise the interests of the South-East above personal ambition, recognising that unity and collaboration are paramount for the collective advancement of the region.
He said it was imperative to convey a candid and unembellished truth to the former Governor of Anambra State.
“We must assert that the path to victory for President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections is fraught with challenges, particularly when considering the formidable influence of incumbency and the disunity that currently plagues the opposition coalition,” he noted.
The factional Ohanaeze, While acknowledging Obi’s constitutional right to contest, the faction emphasized “grave concerns” about the candidacy’s prospects.
In a statement, the factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, warned that “the stark reality is that Obi may face betrayal in his quest for the presidency, which could yield dire consequences for the Igbo people.”
The statement drew parallels to past electoral cycles, specifically recalling the “painful lessons” of 2019, when Obi was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, and again in 2023, when he ran as the Labour Party presidential candidate.
In both instances, the Ohanaeze faction noted, the South-East region reportedly “bore the brunt of electoral losses, resulting in significant political repercussions.”
