The apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a caution to the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, advising him against solely relying on northern elites in any alleged merger talks ahead of the 2027 elections.
This warning comes following Peter Obi’s recent political activities, including a meeting with key figures such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagbearer in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubarkar, former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, and the former President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, in Abuja earlier this week.
In a statement released on Thursday by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze expressed reservations about Peter Obi’s political maneuvers, which have suggested potential opposition party alignments aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The statement read, “Observers have closely monitored the subtle political trajectory of Mr Obi over the past nine months, particularly in the core North-West and North-East regions, where he has strategic humanitarian initiatives with political intentions to garner broader northern acceptance and articulate his vision for the upcoming presidential elections.
“The Northern political establishment, religious scholars, and traditional institutions harbour reservations towards Mr Obi for several notable reasons.
“Ohanaeze implores him to glean wisdom from the poignant lessons of history, specifically the disenchanting experiences of past Igbo presidential candidates who pinned their hopes on Northern endorsements, such as Ogbonnaya Onu, Rochas Okorocha, Chuba Okadigbo, among others.
“It is paramount for Mr Obi and prospective Igbo presidential contenders to internalise these historical narratives and engage the North through a framework of regional collaboration rather than individualistic endeavours.”
Observers have closely monitored Peter Obi’s political trajectory over the past nine months, particularly in the core North-West and North-East regions, where he has initiated strategic humanitarian initiatives with perceived political motives to gain broader northern acceptance and articulate his vision for the upcoming presidential elections.
The Northern political establishment, religious scholars, and traditional institutions, however, harbor reservations towards Peter Obi for various reasons, according to Ohanaeze.
The statement concluded by urging Peter Obi and prospective Igbo presidential contenders to heed the lessons of history and engage the North through collaborative regional frameworks rather than pursuing individualistic approaches.
