A segment of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organization has appealed to former Labour Party presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, to shelve his 2027 presidential ambition in favour of supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election effort.
In a statement released in Abakaliki, the Deputy National President of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, urged Obi to take into account the broader interest of national unity, peace, and inclusion, warning that contesting against an incumbent could prove an insurmountable challenge.
Isiguzoro expressed doubt about Obi’s ability to secure widespread national support, emphasizing that backing from the Southeast alone would not suffice. He highlighted divisions within the opposition and the renewed ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to be in the race again, as major stumbling blocks for Obi’s potential candidacy.
He also pointed to signs of goodwill from the current administration towards the Southeast, noting appointments such as Senator Dave Umahi as Minister of Works and increased federal allocations to the region as indicators of President Tinubu’s responsiveness.
According to him, a fragmented opposition with both Obi and Atiku in the field would only strengthen Tinubu’s chances in 2027, with the Southeast possibly bearing the brunt of another electoral loss. Isiguzoro concluded by encouraging Obi to consider the long-term benefits of aligning with Tinubu’s second-term aspirations rather than pursuing a bid that may not yield the desired result.
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