Ohanaeze: Obi Miscalculating, Can’t Beat Tinubu in 2027

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

Although the submission may be awkward, Isiguzoro continued, Ohanaeze will not back down from the harsh reality, pointing out that the Igbo people are fed up with playing opposition politics under Peter Obi’s direction.

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

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

“Under your leadership, it would be devastating and a serious threat to our collective life to allow the Igbo people to be seduced into poorly planned political conflicts. We might be used as political pawns in such a situation, solidifying the reputation that we are Nigeria’s most vulnerable group if you fail in your election campaign.

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It is crucial to stop and consider the difficult query: why are the Igbo people in Nigeria so often treated with contempt? Can we really understand how a tribe that was once respected and revered—that had notable ancestors like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dr. Francis Akanu Ibiam, and Dr. Jaja Wachuku—has been reduced from a position of prominence to one of insignificance and is now categorized as a majority within a minority? Our immediate and complete attention is required in light of this sobering reality. It’s clear that our current situation is largely the result of political miscalculations by individuals like Mr. Peter Obi. We must not be afraid to express this harsh reality: the Igbo people are tired of sluggishly enduring opposition politics for over ten years under Mr. Obi’s leadership.

In response to three Northern organizations’ questions about the possible resuscitation of the Eastern-Northern Alliance of the First Republic and their worries about Mr. Obi’s ties to Southeast secessionist activists, we would like to make our stance clear. Any agreement that would allow Igbos to operate their lawful enterprises without being subjected to discriminatory state regulations or unfairly singled out as an endangered community is still welcome by Ohanaeze Ndigbo. We reiterate our commitment to Nigerian unity, pledge our adherence to the Nigerian Constitution, and extend our full support for all lawfully elected positions, including the presidency currently occupied by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

We must be open about our concerns with the second question from Northern leadership about Mr. Peter Obi’s ability to protect and preserve the geographical integrity and dignity of Nigeria as a single entity, as well as his reliability with political authority. There are serious doubts about Mr. Obi’s capacity to keep Nigeria united in light of his deeds and inactions. The entire foundation of our country may be threatened if he were elected president, and it might even become divided into three separate countries.

As the crucial elections of 2027 draw near, we urge all parties involved to carefully consider the ramifications of their political decisions. A strong commitment to unity and wise decision-making are essential to the future of our wonderful country.