The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, cautioning him against relying on political endorsements or defections by state governors as a pathway to electoral success in the 2027 presidential elections.
In a statement jointly signed by Deputy President General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and National Spokesman Chief Thompson Ohia, the group emphasized that the Southeast region remains deeply marginalized and that the grievances of the Igbo people must be addressed through sincere and structured dialogue, particularly with nonviolent pro-Biafra leaders.
An Open Window After 55 Years of Silence
Ohanaeze noted that for more than half a century, the Nigerian government has failed to meaningfully engage with Biafra-related grievances, a decision the group described as one of the nation's most consequential missteps.
“This is a historic opportunity that has remained unclaimed for 55 years. President Tinubu can etch his name in history by engaging in honest dialogue with peaceful Biafra agitators,” the statement said.
“These activists are not proscribed. Their commitment to peaceful advocacy over the last 23 years has positioned them as the moral compass of the Southeast.”
The organization added that the Tinubu administration, unlike previous governments, still has time to reverse this legacy of neglect and promote national healing and unity.
Dialogue, Not Defections, Will Win Elections
Ohanaeze stressed that the belief that governors' defections or political endorsements can deliver electoral victory is deeply misguided. According to the group, the real political pulse of the Southeast no longer lies in the hands of politicians, but in the influence of grassroots Biafran leaders, whose messages resonate with the majority of disenfranchised citizens.
“The Southeast is on the brink of complete political exclusion, exploited by opposition forces that seek to undermine the Tinubu administration. The influence of Southeast governors has diminished, and their endorsements carry little weight among the people,” the group declared.
“The 2027 election will be a referendum on hunger, poverty, and national injustice. If the president fails to recognize the power shift and misses the opportunity for reconciliation, he may suffer the same fate as President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.”
Call for Responsible Leadership and Reconciliation
The group called on President Tinubu to rise above political calculations and respond to the call for justice and fairness with statesmanship. They expressed disappointment in the silence of many Southeast politicians, accusing them of cowardice in the face of pressing issues affecting their people.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains steadfast in its belief that genuine reconciliation is possible through dialogue. The federal government must recognize the moral authority of these nonviolent agitators and seize the olive branch they have extended,” the statement continued.
The Time to Act Is Now
In conclusion, Ohanaeze urged President Tinubu to view this moment as a turning point. The group called on the presidency to prioritize dialogue, national unity, and justice over short-term political alliances.
“We must collectively embrace a future based on understanding, reconciliation, and mutual respect. The time for decisive and inclusive leadership is now.”
Post a Comment