Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has reaffirmed its support for a two-term Igbo presidency after the 2027 general elections.
The group rejected proposals for a one-term Igbo presidency, describing such suggestions as deceptive and unrealistic.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Deputy Factional President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and made available in Abakaliki, Ohanaeze stressed its firm commitment to the constitutional provision of a maximum two-term tenure for the offices of President and state governors, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
According to Isiguzoro, the organisation’s stance is rooted in the principles of fairness and equity, aimed at advancing democratic ideals in Nigeria. He noted that, since 1966 when Major General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi briefly served as Military Head of State for just six months, no Igbo person has led the Federal Government.
“While Nnamdi Azikiwe served as a ceremonial President from 1963 to 1966, he held no executive powers. Considering this historical context, it would be a monumental injustice, both in the eyes of God and of humanity, if, upon the eventual election of an Igbo person to the Presidency under democratic auspices, that individual were to voluntarily limit their tenure to a single term of four years.
“This proposition is, to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, unacceptable. While acknowledging that an Igbo Presidency is a legitimate and achievable aspiration, Ohanaeze unequivocally states that it is not feasible in 2027.
The organisation stated that anyone currently promoting a single-term presidency is either acting out of desperation, engaging in deceit, or pursuing personal gain through crafty manoeuvres.
While acknowledging that political aspirants have the right to employ different strategies to win public support, the group urged Nigerians to critically question those advocating the single-term presidency idea.
Part of the statement read: “Specifically, if the Presidential Aspirant is proposing a single term in 2027, what is the fate of the only Governor under the same political party? Will this Governor, in deference to the proposed single-term principle, relinquish power in 2027 after a single term in office? Or will the Governor seek re-election, thus exposing the hypocrisy inherent in the single-term proposition?
“Furthermore, what of the National Assembly members under the same party – are they also prepared to forgo re-election in 2027 to align with the single-term agenda?
“Should the answer to these crucial questions be affirmative, that the Governor intends to seek re-election, then Nigerians must unequivocally recognize that the proponent of this single-term Presidency in 2027 is employing a campaign strategy built upon falsehood, deception, and a fundamental lack of sincerity. It is a strategy doomed to fail.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo firmly advocates for an Igbo Presidency, but not at the cost of compromising the principles of democratic governance. The organization supports a two-term Presidency for any Igbo person who is eventually elected.
“Any individual advancing the single-term Presidency concept therefore lacks the endorsement of Ndigbo. Such a Presidential Aspirant, on moral grounds, has effectively disqualified themselves from the 2027 presidential election.
“Those who promote the concept of a one-term presidency must demonstrate consistency within their own political party. They should present concrete examples of one-term Governors, one-term Senators, and one-term members of the House of Representatives to prove the sincerity of their commitment to this idea,” he said.