May 15, (THEWILL) – The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the Labour Party Presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, to drop his ambition of contesting in 2027.
This was contained in a statement signed and issued from the office of the Deputy President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and made available to journalists on Thursday.
According to Isiguzoro, the Igbos cannot forget the monumental losses the Igbo incurred when Peter Obi contested elections in 2015, 2019 and 2012.
The statement reads, “As we approach the significant milestone of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary in office on May 29, 2025, it is imperative for Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex sociocultural organisation representing the Igbo people, to issue a compelling and unambiguous statement regarding the political landscape of our region.
“After critically reviewing a decade that has seen the Southeast ensnared in political deceit, relegation, and diminishing influence, we resolutely call upon Former Governor Peter Obi to refrain from contesting the 2027 presidential elections.
“The consequences of Mr Obi’s political decisions, particularly during the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections, have led to substantial losses for the Igbo people.
“His leadership as the director of Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 campaign, which encompassed all of Southern Nigeria, has been marked, not only by missed opportunities, but also by decisions that inadvertently alienated our region from the federal government.
“This led to the entrenchment of policies during President Buhari’s administration that many within our community perceived as overtly hostile to Igbo interests.
“While we acknowledge and respect Mr Obi’s constitutional right to seek public office, we must assert that his track record raises serious questions about his effectiveness as a leader for the Southeast. The political relegation of our region during his influential years is a reality that cannot be overlooked.
“Igbos supported Mr Obi in various capacities, including his role as the PDP’s Vice Presidential candidate in 2019 and subsequently as the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023. Yet, the collective outcome of these electoral endeavours has been both disappointing and detrimental.
“In stark contrast, we applaud Senator Dave Umahi’s tenure as the Minister of Works under President Tinubu’s administration. His proactive engagement in driving essential infrastructural reforms and transformative projects underscores a resurgence of hope and pride for the Igbo people.
“Senator Umahi’s efforts are laying a robust foundation for the economic recovery and development of the Southeast, a direction that merits our unwavering support.
“It is in this light that we urge Mr Obi to reconsider his aspirations for the presidency in 2027. The citizens of the Southeast can no longer afford to bear the burdens of another contentious campaign that promises more of the same failures we have witnessed in previous elections.
“Instead, we advocate for a united front that prioritises the interests of our people and aligns with President Tinubu’s vision for revitalising Nigeria’s economy and strengthening our democratic institutions.
“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands firm in its commitment to elevating the voice of the Igbo people, urging all political leaders, including Mr Obi, to act with wisdom and foresight. We must collectively strive to elevate our region from the shadows of political relegation, embracing a future that fosters unity, progress, and prosperity for all Igbos”, he said.
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