Igbo Group Vows to Support Peter Obi for 2027 Election.

In a bold statement that underscores growing divisions within Nigeria’s political landscape, the Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), a prominent Igbo advocacy group, has strongly condemned Anambra State Governor and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) leader, Prof. Charles Soludo, for endorsing President Bola Tinubu as his party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

NIF insists that the Igbo community will not back this move and instead reaffirms its support for Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) candidate in the 2023 elections.

The group’s position was outlined in a statement released to the media on Wednesday, signed by its National President, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha. In the statement, NIF emphasized that the Igbo people, particularly those in the South East region, should be “counted out” of any endorsement of Tinubu.

Instead, they pledged unwavering allegiance to Obi, citing his appeal and track record as reasons for their continued backing.

Rev. Obioha’s statement highlighted a stark prediction for Tinubu’s electoral prospects in the region. “The Igbo, and particularly the Southeast electorate, will give Tinubu 5% votes in 2027, an increase from the 3% votes he had in the 2023 elections,” the statement read.

This projection reflects NIF’s assessment of lingering dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s administration, particularly among Igbo voters who have historically felt marginalized in national politics.

The group also invoked a broader argument for regional equity, urging that the South East be allowed to “complete the remaining four years of the eight-year tenure of the South in 2027.” This reference alludes to ongoing debates about power rotation and inclusivity in Nigeria’s presidency, with NIF positioning itself as a voice for Igbo interests in these discussions. “There is no amount of so-called adoption of Tinubu for 2027 by Soludo APGA that will turn Igbo votes to Tinubu,” Obioha asserted, dismissing the endorsement as ineffective.

In addition to its political stance, NIF called for significant electoral reforms to ensure transparency and fairness in future elections.

The statement specifically endorsed “massive calls for electoral reforms, which majorly include the compulsory transmission of election results, particularly that of the Presidential, electronically and in real time.”

This push for digitalization comes amid widespread concerns about vote rigging and manipulation in past elections, with NIF positioning itself as an advocate for systemic change.

NIF further criticized the federal government’s handling of infrastructure promises in the South East, arguing that such pledges have failed to materialize. “There is no amount of promises made by Tinubu to any governor or the good people of the South East on infrastructure development that will sway the Igbo votes in his favour,” the statement noted.

It pointed to unfulfilled commitments from the 2022 campaigns of Tinubu and his predecessor, former President Muhammadu Buhari, such as the development of railways and train services. “We were promised some of these strategic infrastructures like railways and train services… but till date, railway lines are not functioning but more dilapidated and moribund than ever,” Obioha lamented.

The statement has ignited fresh debates on social media and among political analysts, with some viewing it as a sign of deepening fractures within APGA and the broader Igbo political community. Governor Soludo, who has been a vocal supporter of Tinubu’s administration on certain policies, has not yet responded publicly to NIF’s criticism.

However, his endorsement of Tinubu earlier this month was seen as a strategic move to align APGA with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) amid Nigeria’s fluid party alliances.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, this development highlights the challenges facing national unity and voter sentiment in the South East. With groups like NIF mobilizing support for Peter Obi, who remains a popular figure among opposition voters, the stage is set for a highly contested race.

Political observers warn that such endorsements and counter-statements could influence coalition-building and voter turnout in key regions. NIF’s firm stance serves as a reminder of the enduring demand for equitable representation and accountability in Nigerian politics.