2027: No Igbo’II contest Presidency against Tinubu, says Ohanaeze

Peter Obi chances dim

By Samuel Ogunsona

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will have no one to contend with in Igboland ahead of the 2027 Presidential race, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said.

The group said no Igbo candidate would contest the 2027 presidential election.

Ohanaeze said the earliest realistic opportunity for the Southeast to produce a president is in 2035, not 2027.

In a statement signed by Deputy President General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and National Spokesman Chief Thompson Ohia, Ohanaeze revealed that the decision followed extensive consultations with Southeast political leaders.

The group emphasized that the most viable route for realizing the Igbo presidency lies within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2035, should the party’s zoning arrangement be reviewed.

Both the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress, (ADC) have no plan for power rotation, at least for now.

“We assert, with unwavering candour and respect, that the goal of achieving an Igbo presidency is indeed realizable and sets forth as a compelling objective for the year 2035,” the statement read. Ohanaeze highlighted Senator David Umahi as the most outstanding candidate to lead the country in 2035, citing his impressive track record as a state governor, Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, and Minister of Works.

“Among this illustrious cadre, Senator David Umahi distinctly emerges as the most qualified contender for the Igbo presidency in 2035 because his extensive record of achievements… uniquely position him to spearhead this essential endeavor,” the group noted. Other notable Igbo leaders mentioned as potential presidential aspirants include Peter Obi, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Pius Anyim, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, and Rochas Okorocha.

Ohanaeze affirmed its unwavering support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, projecting that approximately 95% of Igbo votes will rally behind this cause.

“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,” the statement added.

The group believes that the rotation of power in Nigeria will revert to the Northern region after President Tinubu’s tenure in 2031, making 2035 a historic opportunity for the Southeast to produce Nigeria’s first Igbo president. “As we contemplate the future, it is anticipated that the rotation of power in Nigeria will revert to the Northern region subsequent to the conclusion of President

Tinubu’s tenure in 2031, and consequently, the year 2035 represents a historic opportunity for the Southeast to produce the first Nigerian president of Igbo descent”.