A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid for the 2027 general elections. The group has also urged the President to take decisive actions to address critical issues affecting the Southeast, including the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the creation of new states.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group appealed to President Tinubu to exercise his executive authority to secure Kanu's release by 2025. Isiguzoro described this move as more than a humanitarian gesture, emphasizing its significance in fostering peace and resolving the lingering insecurity in the Southeast.
“Stability is impossible in the midst of violence and discord,” he stated, highlighting that Kanu’s release would pave the way for reconciliation and a more peaceful region.
The group also pressed for the expedited rehabilitation of federal roads in the Southeast, noting that the region’s infrastructure is in dire need of attention. They called on Senator David Umahi, Minister of Works, to ensure these projects are completed by the end of 2026, viewing them as essential for economic growth and regional cohesion.
Ohanaeze reiterated the importance of upholding Nigeria’s unwritten rotational presidency agreement between the North and South, describing it as a pillar of equity and fairness. With the North’s presidency spanning 2015 to 2023 under Muhammadu Buhari, the group maintained that the South should retain the presidency until 2031.
Addressing the nation’s political climate, the faction criticized the opposition for its perceived disorganization and lack of a unified direction. They warned against political alliances that could derail the collective aspirations of the Igbo people, citing the negative impacts of past collaborations with figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi during the 2019 elections.
In addition to their political endorsements, the group outlined a series of measures to advance the Southeast, including:
- Conducting an accurate and inclusive 2025 Census that considers ethnic and religious demographics.
- Creating new states such as Anioma in the South-South and Aba in the Southeast.
- Revitalizing key economic assets, including reopening the Calabar Seaport, reviving the Enugu Coal Mine, establishing the Akwete Blue River Deep Seaport, and upgrading railway networks.
Ohanaeze also underscored the need for unity among the Igbo people, urging them to rally around a shared vision of peace, infrastructural development, and regional prosperity.