Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the preeminent socio-cultural organization, has called on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to retire from politics and throw his support behind the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, in a proposed alliance with the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Ohanaeze believes that this realignment could substantially enhance the opposition’s prospects in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.
The organization has issued a stern warning regarding the potential challenges the opposition could face if Bola Ahmed Tinubu declares his candidacy for the 2027 election.
Thus, Ohanaeze emphasized the urgent need for this political realignment. Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, highlighted that “Obi’s bid in the 2023 elections was not driven solely by his Igbo identity or affiliation but rather by his visionary quest for a new and prosperous Nigeria, one that transcends ethnic divisions and promotes unity among all Nigerians.”
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In an official statement signed by Isiguzoro, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization stressed the importance of Peter Obi looking ahead to the 2027 election while setting aside considerations for the 2023 race.
The statement reads: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo acknowledges Mr. Obi’s acceptance of the Supreme Court’s judgment against his appeal on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) verdict, which declared Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential elections.
“This honorable acceptance has endeared Mr. Obi to Nigerians across the political spectrum, including members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Looking forward, Ohanaeze Ndigbo anticipates that the opposition parties will face an arduous challenge in the 2027 elections if Tinubu declares his interest in seeking re-election. It will be an uphill battle for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) unless they unite and amalgamate into a formidable political force.
“At this critical juncture, we encourage former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to retire from active politics and embrace the role of a statesman, lending his support to Mr. Obi and Mr. Kwankwaso as the fresh faces of the opposition. Such a realignment would significantly bolster the opposition’s political future in 2027.”