…Says Igbos to wait till 2035
Igbo apex group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said that no Igbo person will contest president in 2027 against the incumbent President, Bola Tinubu, saying that the possibility of the South-East producing the president of Nigeria can only be achieved in 2035, not 2027.
In a statement in Abakaliki at the weekend, signed by Deputy President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo faction, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and the National Spokesman, Chief Thompson Ohia, they stated that the decision was taken after a crucial meeting with South-East political leaders, Imeobi and Nzukoumunna, in which they resolved that no Igboman will contest president in 2027 against the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signaling the rejection of a one-term bid.
They maintained that the most practicable political vehicle for the pursuit of the Igbo presidency lies within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2035 if the zoning formula is altered, saying that among notable Igbo sons, the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, stands out as the most outstanding candidate to lead the country.
They recognised some prominent Igbo leaders like Peter Obi, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, Pius Anyim, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Rochas Okorocha, and Sen. David Umahi, among others, adding that each of them possesses the requisite capabilities to catalyze transformative change in Nigeria’s fortunes, but Umahi stands the best chance.
According to them, Ohanaeze affirmed their unwavering support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, projecting that approximately 95% of Igbo votes will rally behind this cause.
They added that this endorsement will transcend into political strategy, stressing that it represents a calculated decision aimed at nurturing stability and fostering cooperation within the Nigerian political landscape.
They further stated that: “The Apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, finds it paramount to convey a forthright and compelling message not only to the Ndigbo but to the entirety of the Nigerian populace.
“We assert, with unwavering candor and respect, that the goal of achieving an Igbo presidency is indeed realizable and sets forth as a compelling objective for the year 2035.
“In this decisive endeavour, we highlight Senator David Umahi as the eminent candidate in a distinguished ensemble of Igbo leaders, which prominently includes Peter Obi, Ifeanyi Okowa, Pius Anyim Anyim, Hope Uzodinma, Chukwuma Soludo, and Rochas Okorocha.
“It is imperative to recognize that the most practicable political vehicle for the pursuit of the Igbo presidency lies within the All Progressives Congress (APC). Our communal ambition to secure the presidency for an individual of Igbo descent depends fundamentally upon forging strategic alliances and establishing a foundation of mutual trust with Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.
“Following extensive consultations and dialogues, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in collaboration with South-East political leaders, has reached a unanimous and resolute conclusion that Igbo people will not field presidential candidates in the 2027 elections against the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Given these realities, we hereby affirm our unwavering support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, projecting that approximately 95% of Igbo votes will rally behind this cause”.
