Leading Igbo organizations in Lagos State have publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office, signaling a significant political realignment following tensions that emerged after the 2023 general elections.
The endorsement came during a reconciliation meeting organized by Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, known as Jandor, who leads the Lagos4Lagos Movement. The gathering brought together Yoruba and Igbo community leaders to address ethnic tensions that had escalated following recent demolition exercises in the state.
Sunday Udeh, who heads Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State, expressed confidence in the president’s leadership abilities and predicted an APC victory in the next presidential election. He emphasized that Tinubu’s experience in governance makes him the right candidate to lead Nigeria beyond 2027.
“We are not in doubt of his victory in 2027. We know our party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, will win again,” Udeh told journalists at the event. He also revealed his active membership in the ruling party and commitment to campaign for its success.
The Ohanaeze president urged both ethnic communities to prioritize peaceful coexistence and reject divisive rhetoric. He acknowledged that relations between the Igbo community and the Lagos State Government had deteriorated following the 2023 elections, but expressed optimism that ongoing dialogue would restore mutual trust.
Udeh called on the state government to maintain regular engagement with the Igbo community and other ethnic groups to promote inclusiveness and social harmony across Lagos.
Adding his voice to the endorsement, Charles Obih, National President of the Market Leaders Association of Nigeria, pledged the full support of Igbo traders and business owners for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
“We will mobilize our members to ensure President Tinubu’s re-election is smooth and successful by the grace of God,” Obih declared. He commended the president as a pragmatic leader who has tackled the complex challenges inherited upon assuming office with unwavering determination.
The public endorsement marks a notable shift in political dynamics, particularly given the strained relations between sections of the Igbo community and the APC following the 2023 elections. The reconciliation meeting appears designed to bridge these divides ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
