A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition and throw his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
The group, led by factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said the South-East cannot singlehandedly deliver Obi as president and risks further political setbacks if it continues to back losing bids.
Isiguzoro accused Obi of repeating political missteps that, according to him, cost the region heavily in the past. He recalled that the Atiku-Obi joint ticket in 2019 allegedly made the South-East forfeit a promised sixth state, a deal he said former President Muhammadu Buhari offered Igbo leaders in exchange for their support.
Despite the Labour Party’s dominance in the region during the 2023 election, Isiguzoro said Tinubu’s government has demonstrated commitment to the South-East through appointments and funding.
“The appointment of Engr. David Umahi as Minister of Works, with the task of fixing federal roads across the South-East, is proof of Tinubu’s commitment. Federal allocations to the region have tripled, benefitting all five South-East governors, regardless of party,” he stated.
He warned that Obi’s continued presidential pursuit, alongside Atiku Abubakar’s planned 2027 run at age 81, could split opposition votes and hand Tinubu an easy second term, leaving the South-East politically stranded.
“This may be hard for Mr Obi to accept, but it is time to reassess his ambitions. The South-East must prioritise unity and leverage Tinubu’s goodwill rather than gamble on another failed presidential bid,” he added.
Isiguzoro maintained that while Obi has the right to contest, another failed attempt could worsen the region’s marginalisation, as seen in 2019 and 2023.
He urged Obi to put the region’s collective interest above personal ambition, insisting that supporting Tinubu would give the South-East more bargaining power and stability ahead of 2027.
