Ohanaeze Tells Peter Obi to Drop 2027 Bid, Support Tinubu

A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Okechukwu Isiguzoro has declared that the quest for an Igbo presidency in 2027 is not achievable under the proposed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that the coalition lacks the national strength and political structure needed to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The faction also urged former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to reconsider any plan to contest the 2027 presidential election under the coalition platform and instead support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a statement jointly signed by Okechukwu Isiguzoro and the faction’s National Spokesman, Thompson Ohia, the group claimed that a careful assessment of Nigeria’s political landscape showed that the NDC currently operates more like a regional political movement than a truly national platform.

According to the statement, the coalition is allegedly being driven largely by the political interests of the Ijaw bloc under the influence of former Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson.

The faction maintained that the coalition lacks the nationwide structures, grassroots reach and electoral strength required to successfully challenge the APC in the next presidential election.

“In this context, Ohanaeze Ndigbo advises Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, to carefully reconsider contesting the 2027 presidential election under the NDC,” the statement read.

The group argued that achieving an Igbo presidency would require broader national acceptance, strategic alliances across regions and a political platform capable of mobilising support nationwide.

According to the faction, relying on a weak coalition could result in another failed presidential attempt and further reduce the Southeast’s political bargaining power at the national level.

READ ALSO:

• Real Madrid Crisis Deepens as Arbeloa Calls Out Mbappé Over Commitment
• “I Had a Chef in Prison” — Blord Reveals Experience at Kuje Facility
• ‘No Water, No Vote’: Plateau Community Threatens Election Boycott

“We therefore urge Mr. Peter Obi to reconsider his 2027 presidential ambition in the greater interest of the Igbo people,” the statement added.

The group warned that another unsuccessful outing could delay the Southeast’s quest for stronger political inclusion and development.

The statement also referenced recent political consultations involving former Southeast governors, claiming that participants acknowledged the infrastructural projects being executed by President Tinubu’s administration in the region.

The faction specifically mentioned discussions linked to a meeting reportedly coordinated by former Ebonyi State governor and current Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, in Enugu.

According to the group, some political leaders from the Southeast had expressed support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition based on ongoing infrastructure projects and federal presence in the region.

The Ohanaeze faction subsequently appealed to Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support President Tinubu in what it described as the broader interest of the Southeast and the Igbo nation.

The remarks come amid growing coalition talks among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 elections, with several political actors reportedly exploring new alliances aimed at challenging the APC.

Peter Obi remains one of Nigeria’s most influential opposition figures following his strong performance in the 2023 presidential election, where he secured widespread support among young voters and urban populations.

The demand for a Nigerian president of Southeast extraction has continued to gain momentum in recent years, with supporters arguing that the region remains the only major geopolitical zone yet to produce a democratically elected president since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.

However, political analysts insist that any successful 2027 presidential election strategy for the Southeast would require extensive coalition-building, cross-regional support and strong party structures capable of competing nationally.

The latest comments by the Ohanaeze faction further highlight divisions within the Southeast political landscape over the best strategy for pursuing the long-standing goal of an Igbo presidency.

Ohanaeze Tells Peter Obi to Drop 2027 Bid, Support Tinubu

JUST IN: Kano APC Crisis Ends as Gwarzo Withdraws Senate Bid, Backs Barau Jibrin

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has successfully mediated a political reconciliation between two prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figures in Kano North, ending weeks of internal rivalry and reshaping the contest ahead of the next election cycle.

The peace meeting, held on Tuesday night at the Kano Government House, brought together former Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, and Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, who had been divided over the Kano North senatorial ticket.

Governor Yusuf Brokers Peace Deal Between Gwarzo and Barau in Kano APC

The outcome of the meeting was confirmed in an official statement issued on Wednesday by the Director General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

According to the statement, the reconciliation ended with Gwarzo voluntarily withdrawing from the senatorial race and declaring full support for Senator Barau Jibrin as the consensus APC candidate for Kano North.

The development is seen as a major step toward stabilising the APC structure in the district, where internal competition and factional disagreements had raised concerns about party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

READ ALSO:

• Zamfara Airstrike: 72 Feared Dead as Military, Amnesty Disagree on Death Toll
• How Suspected Kidnappers Lured UNIJOS Graduate With Job Offer
• Makinde to Officially Declare 2027 Presidential Bid at Ibadan Mega Rally

The high-level meeting was attended by key political stakeholders including Deputy Governor Murtala Sule Garo, former APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations Abubakar Kabir Bichi, and Kano APC Chairman Umar Haruna Doguwa, alongside other senior party figures.

Party insiders described the intervention by Governor Yusuf as a strategic move aimed at reducing political tension and strengthening cohesion within the APC’s Kano North structure, which remains one of the most competitive senatorial districts in the state.

Sources at the meeting revealed that discussions focused on party unity, zoning considerations, and the need to avoid a divided front that could weaken the APC’s chances in the forthcoming elections.

Following the resolution, Gwarzo reportedly pledged to work with party stakeholders to ensure victory for the APC, describing his withdrawal as a sacrifice for collective progress and political stability within the party.

Senator Barau Jibrin, who currently serves as Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, commended Gwarzo for his decision, describing it as a gesture of statesmanship that would strengthen the APC’s electoral prospects in Kano North.

Political analysts say the development could significantly reshape the balance of power within the APC in Kano State, especially as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.

Kano North senatorial district, which covers local government areas including Bichi, Gwarzo, Dambatta, and Karaye, has long been one of the most politically contested zones in the state.

Observers note that the reconciliation may also signal broader efforts to reduce factional disputes within the APC in Kano, as stakeholders push for a united front ahead of the next general elections.

JUST IN: Kano APC Crisis Ends as Gwarzo Withdraws Senate Bid, Backs Barau Jibrin

Makinde to Officially Declare 2027 Presidential Bid at Ibadan Mega Rally

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is expected to formally declare his 2027 presidential ambition on Thursday, May 14, during a major political gathering scheduled to hold at the historic Mapo Hall in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The event, tagged “Unity Mega Rally Ibadan 2026,” is being widely seen as the official launch of Makinde’s anticipated bid for Nigeria’s presidency, as well as a strategic unveiling of a broader political coalition involving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), and several political actors aligned with the governor’s growing national influence.

Sources familiar with the development revealed that preparations for the rally have intensified across Oyo State and parts of the South-West amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Grassroots mobilisers, youth organisations, political associates, and loyalists of the governor are reportedly coordinating support structures in anticipation of what many analysts describe as a major turning point in Nigeria’s opposition politics.

Political observers believe the latest moves form part of a larger strategy aimed at strengthening grassroots political networks across Oyo State and beyond while consolidating Makinde’s influence within the national opposition camp.

The development comes at a time when unresolved internal crises within the PDP continue to fuel uncertainty over the party’s future ahead of the next presidential election.

According to insiders, consultations among political stakeholders have intensified in recent weeks as several party loyalists and influential figures explore alternative political structures and coalition arrangements.

READ ALSO:

• Gunmen Abduct Three Family Members, Shoot Woman in Ogun Community
• Nigeria’s Daily Petrol Consumption Surges Despite N1,370 Per Litre Price
• Domestic Dispute Turns Tragic as Woman Sets Co-Wife, Two Children Ablaze in Kano

Thursday’s rally is expected to attract political stakeholders, traditional leaders, community figures, youth groups, civil society organisations, and supporters from different parts of the country who identify with Makinde’s governance style and political direction.

Although Governor Makinde has not officially confirmed his intention to contest the presidency, support groups and close political allies have continued mounting pressure on him to formally join the race.

The governor has also made several political moves in recent months that analysts say point toward a broader national ambition.

Earlier this year, Makinde directed political appointees and elected office holders interested in contesting the 2027 elections to openly declare their ambitions and begin consultations within the PDP structure.

In April, the Oyo governor hosted a high-level opposition summit in Ibadan attended by prominent opposition figures and stakeholders discussing strategies for building a united political front ahead of 2027.

While addressing participants at the summit, Makinde maintained that the gathering was focused on strengthening democracy and deepening national development rather than targeting specific political opponents.

The choice of Mapo Hall for Thursday’s declaration is also considered politically symbolic due to the venue’s long-standing historical significance in Oyo State politics and governance.

Political analysts believe the rally could provide the clearest indication yet of Makinde’s political direction and possible coalition alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Although it remains unclear whether the Oyo governor will eventually contest solely under the PDP or align with a broader opposition coalition, discussions surrounding possible alliances and power-sharing arrangements are said to be gaining momentum among opposition stakeholders nationwide.

The expected declaration is already generating fresh debate within Nigeria’s political space as opposition leaders intensify efforts to build a formidable platform capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC in the next general election.

Makinde to Officially Declare 2027 Presidential Bid at Ibadan Mega Rally