March 25, (THEWILL) – The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to be wary of the political coalition of Northern influential leaders, with those from the South East and Niger Delta, that are bent to unseat him in 2027.
A press statement issued in Abakaliki on Monday and signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Deputy President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said no amount of infrastructural and appointive patronage from Tinubu can appease the North.
Ohanaeze suggested that one of the ways for Tinubu to re-strategise for the 2027 election was to make religion and ethnicity part of the demographics for the 2025 National Population Census.
The statement reads: “The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, hereby articulates a clarion call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that no degree of presidential appeasement—be it through appointments or infrastructural promises—can restore the crumbling partnership between his administration and the Northern region that once prospered in 2023.
“Evidence on the ground illustrates that the North has decisively disengaged from President Tinubu, now seeking alliances with influential leaders from the Southeast and Niger Delta with a singular and urgent objective: to unseat him in the impending 2027 elections.
The body further expressed apprehension that disenchanted Nigerians may align with the opposition unless the President embarks on implementing meaningful policies.
“This stark truth deserves forthright acknowledgement: unless critical federal government policies are urgently reversed and significant corrective measures enacted, the disenchanted Nigerian populace is likely to align themselves with the chorus of opposition voices spearheaded by Northern leaders.
“These coalitions advocate for transformative change in leadership. Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores the Federal Government to urgently recalibrate its strategies and fundamentally reassess its footing within our complex national tapestry.
“Central to this recalibration is the necessity for an inclusive and credible National Census in 2025, one that mandates the incorporation of ethnicity and religious identity as crucial components.
Isiguzoro, who explained that 39% of Northern Nigeria’s population comprises Igbo communities, while about 31% consists of Middle Belt Christians; the Hausa and Fulani together account for merely 30%, said that the disproportionate demographic landscape is precisely why Northern leaders have consistently opposed the inclusion of ethnicity and religion in previous census efforts.
“This strategic endeavour aims to unveil the authentic demographic variables that underpin the discussions surrounding Northern numerical dominance. Current realities indicate that approximately 39% of Northern Nigeria’s population comprises Igbo communities, while about 31% consists of Middle Belt Christians; the Hausa and Fulani together account for merely 30%.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphatically asserts that the Federal Government must prioritise the fundamental needs of the Igbo Nation. Such a pivotal move will not only foster solidarity among the Igbos across all 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, but will also serve as a cornerstone for national cohesion.
“President Tinubu is urged to act decisively, without further delay, by establishing a sixth state for the Southeast and rejuvenating the Eastern Economic Corridor. This includes urgently reopening and dredging the Calabar Seaport, which has been dormant for an astonishing 57 years, maximising the utility of Port Harcourt Seaport, constructing a deep seaport in Azumiri (Ukwa East LGA, Abia State), and upgrading the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu-Maiduguri railway to standard gauge. Moreover, the political release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is essential in fostering goodwill and addressing regional grievances.
“By taking these decisive actions, President Tinubu has an unprecedented opportunity to dismantle the long-held myth of Northern numerical superiority, thereby erasing the longstanding perception of Northern political dominance that has hampered equitable governance in our diverse nation.
“Ohanaeze further urges the Federal Government to engage constructively with non-violent Biafra agitators to address the pressing issue of violence and insecurity challenges in the Southeast. Indications suggest that the progenitors of the Biafra agitation, advocating for self-determination through peaceful dialogue, stand ready to reconcile with the Federal Government. This unique opening must be seized to restore peace and stability in the Southeast region, which has been historically marginalised.
“In conclusion, it is vital for the administration to recognise the unique position and potential of the Igbo Nation in shaping Nigeria’s future—a future that transcends tribal affiliations and seeks to unify rather than divide. We stand at a crossroads; thus, let us choose dialogue over discord and cooperation over conflict. As Nigerians, our well-being depends on our collective commitment to inclusivity, equity, and progress”, he said.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
