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By Oscar Oscar
A faction of the Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to shelve his 2027 presidential ambition and throw his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
This, they say, will promote national stability and advance the political interests of the Southeast.
The group’s Deputy National President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, made the appeal in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Wednesday. He said Obi’s chances of winning the 2027 presidential election were slim due to the current political climate and deep divisions within the opposition.
Isiguzoro argued that contesting against an incumbent president would be a herculean task, especially for a candidate without broad national backing. He noted that the Southeast alone could not deliver a presidential victory and warned that Obi’s continued ambition, alongside that of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, could split the opposition vote and inadvertently secure Tinubu a second term.
“The current political climate, marked by a lack of unity among opposition leaders and the inordinate ambition of Atiku Abubakar who, at the age of 81, still seeks the presidency, poses a significant risk,” Isiguzoro said.
He pointed to President Tinubu’s appointments of Southeast leaders into key positions, such as Senator Dave Umahi as Minister of Works, as a gesture of goodwill toward the region. He also noted that the Federal Government had increased allocations to the Southeast, particularly for infrastructure development.
According to him, aligning with Tinubu’s administration could open more opportunities for the region and help address pressing developmental challenges.
“We urge Mr. Obi to engage in deep reflection and relinquish his presidential ambitions in favour of advocating for the pressing needs of the Southeast,” he said.
Isiguzoro concluded by urging Obi to prioritise the collective interest of the Igbo people and consider a strategic alliance with President Tinubu, which he said could position the Southeast more advantageously in the future political landscape.
As of the time of filing this report, Peter Obi and his supporters, popularly known as the Obi-dient movement, had yet to issue any official response to the appeal made by the Ohanaeze faction.