A faction of the Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
The group, in a statement on Sunday by its Deputy President General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said Obi lacks the political credentials to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
It added that Obi’s interest in the 2027 race could render the Igbos as political sacrificial lambs in Nigeria and also derail future political pursuits.
Isiguzoro added that while the submission may be uncomfortable, it is the truth, and Ohanaeze would not shy away from the bitter truth, noting that the Igbos are tired of playing opposition politics under Peter Obi’s leadership.
The statement reads, “The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, deems it both our solemn duty and profound responsibility to convey a stark and uncomfortable truth to Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate.
“With the utmost respect and unflinching candor, we must assert that you currently lack the political tenacity and the requisite ruthlessness essential to unseat a seasoned politician and incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the forthcoming 2027 elections.
“To allow the Igbo people to be lured into ill-prepared political battles under your leadership would be disastrous, posing a grave threat to our collective survival. Such a scenario could render us political sacrificial lambs, further entrenching the stigma that identifies us as the most endangered group in Nigeria should you falter in your electoral pursuits.
“It is essential to pause and reflect on the troubling question: why are the Igbos frequently regarded with disdain in Nigeria? Can we truly comprehend how a tribe once esteemed and revered, with illustrious forebears such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dr. Francis Akanu Ibiam, and Dr. Jaja Wachuku, has been relegated from a position of prominence to one of inconsequence, now classified as a majority within a minority? This sobering reality demands our immediate and undivided attention. It is evident that the political miscalculations of figures like Mr. Peter Obi have significantly contributed to our current predicament. We must not shy away from articulating this bitter truth: the Igbo people are weary of languishing in opposition politics under Mr. Obi’s leadership for the better part of a decade.
“In response to the inquiries from three Northern groups regarding the potential reactivation of the Eastern-Northern Alliance of the First Republic, as well as their concerns about Mr. Obi’s associations with secessionist activists in the Southeast, we wish to clarify our position unequivocally. Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains open to any arrangement that will enable Igbos to conduct their legitimate businesses without facing discriminatory state policies or being unjustly targeted as an endangered community. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the unity of Nigeria, pledging our loyalty to the Constitution of Nigeria and extending our total allegiance to all constitutionally elected offices, including the presidency currently held by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Regarding the second inquiry from Northern leadership concerning Mr. Peter Obi’s trustworthiness with political power and his capacity to defend and uphold the territorial integrity and dignity of Nigeria as a united entity, we must express our reservations candidly. The actions and inactions of Mr. Obi raise significant concerns regarding his ability to maintain Nigeria’s unity. Should he ascend to the presidency, the very fabric of our nation could be imperiled, potentially leading to its fragmentation into three distinct entities.
“As we approach the pivotal elections of 2027, we implore all stakeholders to engage in thoughtful reflection regarding the implications of their political choices. The future of our great nation hinges upon prudent decision-making and an unwavering commitment to its unity.”