The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has warned against the nomination of a Northern presidential candidate in 2027, citing the need to uphold equity, fairness, and justice in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, issued a statement.
According to Isiguzoro, the Southeast’s aspirations in the upcoming elections should be considered.
Isiguzoro cautioned political parties against ignoring or marginalizing the Southeast ahead of 2027, stressing that the sacrifices made today will shape tomorrow’s political landscape. He emphasized the collective responsibility of all true patriots to uphold the tenets of equity and justice in Nigeria’s political pursuits.
“The sacrifices made today will indubitably shape tomorrow’s political landscape, and it is the collective responsibility of all true patriots to uphold the tenets of equity and justice in our political pursuits,” Isiguzoro stated.
Isiguzoro warned that those who previously sought to sidestep the legitimate entitlements of the Southeast during the Atiku Abubakar candidacy in 2023 are witnessing their gradual relegation to political obscurity. He noted that such actions carry the weight of consequences that cannot be overlooked.
“Those who previously sought to sidestep the legitimate entitlements of the Southeast during the Atiku Abubakar candidacy in 2023 are witnessing their gradual relegation to political obscurity,” Isiguzoro said.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirms our unwavering belief that the voice of the Southeast must not be silenced or marginalized,” Isiguzoro added.
The development comes amidst rumours of a likely merger between the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku and Peter Obi. Both candidates lost the 2023 election to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.