Ohanaeze Ndigbo Warns Peter Obi Against 2027 Bid, Calls It a Strategic Error

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has been encouraged to drop out of the 2027 presidential contest by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a branch of the Igbo Sociocultural Organization.
In a statement released Sunday by its deputy president general, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group said that Obi lacked the political qualifications necessary to depose President Bola Tinubu.
Furthermore, it stated that Obi’s interest in the 2027 election might turn the Igbo people into political lambs in Nigeria and sabotage further political endeavors.

“The Igbos are tired of playing opposition politics under Peter Obi’s leadership,” Isiguzoro continued, adding that although the submission may be uncomfortable, it is the truth and Ohanaeze will not back down from the harsh reality.

The statement says, “The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, considers it our grave obligation and deep responsibility to present Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, with a harsh and unsettling reality.

With all due respect and unwavering honesty, we must state that you do not now possess the political perseverance and necessary brutality necessary to defeat seasoned politician and incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections.

“It would be catastrophic and a serious threat to our collective life if you allowed the Igbo people to be seduced into poorly planned political conflicts under your leadership. Should you fail in your electoral endeavors, this situation might make us political sacrificial lambs, solidifying the reputation that labels us as Nigeria’s most threatened group.

It’s important to stop and consider the unsettling query: why are Igbo people in Nigeria so often treated with contempt? Can we really understand how a once-respected and venerated tribe, with notable ancestors like Drs. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Michael Okpara, Francis Akanu Ibiam, and Jaja Wachuku, has been reduced from a prominent position to one of inconsequential status, now being categorized as a majority within a minority? Our urgent and full attention must be given to this terrible fact. It is clear that our current situation is largely the result of political miscalculations by individuals such as Mr. Peter Obi. The Igbo people are tired of sifting through opposition politics under Mr. Obi’s leadership for more than ten years, and we must not be afraid to express this harsh reality.

“We would like to make our stance clear in response to the questions posed by three Northern organizations concerning the possible reactivation of the Eastern-Northern Alliance of the First Republic and their worries about Mr. Obi’s ties to secessionist movements in the Southeast. Ohanaeze Ndigbo is still amenable to any agreement that will allow Igbos to operate their lawful enterprises without unjustly being singled out as an endangered community or subjected to discriminatory governmental policies. Reaffirming our commitment to Nigerian unity, we pledge our allegiance to the Nigerian Constitution and to all constitutionally elected offices, including the presidency currently held by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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We must be open and honest about our concerns with the second question from Northern leadership over Mr. Peter Obi’s credibility in holding political authority and his ability to protect and preserve Nigeria’s territorial integrity and unity. Mr. Obi’s acts and inactions raise serious questions about his capacity to keep Nigeria united. If he were elected president, the foundation of our country may be threatened, and it might even become divided into three separate countries.

We urge everyone involved to carefully consider the ramifications of their political decisions as the crucial elections of 2027 get near. Our great nation’s future depends on wise choices and a steadfast dedication to its unity.