A faction of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, to allow President Bola Tinubu to complete his second term, saying the people of the South-East region cannot make him president.
A statement issued on Wednesday by factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, reminded Nigerians that the joint Atiku–Obi ticket in 2019 cost the South-East a potential sixth state, promised by former President Muhammadu Buhari to Igbo leaders in exchange for their support.
The statement further noted that, despite the South-East being a Labour Party stronghold in 2023, President Tinubu’s administration has made notable strides in addressing the region’s infrastructural deficits.
“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,” the statement read.
It continued: “In light of these uncomfortable realities, Ohanaeze passionately urges Mr Peter 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.
“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 prioritize the interests of the South-East above personal ambition, recognizing 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 Mr Peter Obi.
“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 Mr Peter Obi’s constitutional right to contest for the presidency in 2027, said it felt compelled to express grave concerns regarding the viability of such a candidacy.
“The stark reality is that Mr Peter Obi may face betrayal in his quest for the presidency, which could yield dire consequences for the Igbo people,” it noted.
It recalled the painful lessons of 2019, when Mr Peter Obi served as running mate to Atiku Abubakar, and again in 2023, when he contested as the Labour Party presidential candidate. In both instances, the South-East bore the brunt of electoral losses, resulting in significant political repercussions.
