Ohanaeze Kicks, As North Moves To Field Presidential Candidate In 2027

From Abdul SULE (ABUJA)

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has warned against the fielding of a Northern presidential candidate in 2027, saying there is need to uphold equity, fairness, and justice in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, who issued the awarding in a statement made available to news men recently, said the Southeast’s aspirations in the upcoming elections should be considered.

Isiguzoro, cautioned political parties against ignoring or marginalising the Southeast ahead of 2027, said the sacrifices made today will shape tomorrow’s political landscape, emphasising that the collective responsibility of all true patriots to uphold the tenets of equity and justice in Nigeria’s political pursuits.

The statement read in part: “The sacrifices made today will indubitably shape tomorrow’s political landscape, and it is the collective responsibility of all true patriots to uphold the tenets of equity and justice in our political pursuits.

"Those who previously sought to sidestep the legitimate entitlements of the Southeast during the Atiku Abubakar candidacy in 2023 are witnessing their gradual relegation to political obscurity. Such actions carry the weight of consequences that cannot be overlooked.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirms our unwavering belief that the voice of the Southeast must not be silenced or marginalised."

The development comes amidst rumours of a likely merger between the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku and Peter Obi. Both candidates lost the 2023 election to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.