The Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural group has called on Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, to reconsider his political ambitions for 2027.
The group urged Obi to abandon his bid and instead support President Bola Tinubu’s second term in the interest of equity, national unity, and political stability.
The appeal comes amid deepening internal crisis within the Labour Party, as rival factions continue to interpret the Supreme Court’s April 4 ruling differently, leading to growing divisions regarding party leadership and loyalty to Obi.
Speaking in Abakaliki, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy National President of a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, advised Obi to shelve his presidential ambition, arguing that it would be extremely difficult to unseat the incumbent president.
He reminded Obi that support from the South-East alone would not suffice to secure victory.
He cautioned that the fractured opposition, particularly the rivalry between Obi and Atiku Abubakar, poses a strategic risk:
“Obi and Atiku would share the opposition vote, which will ultimately pave the way for Tinubu’s re-election,” he said, warning that should this unfold, “the repercussions would undoubtedly fall heavily upon the South-East.”
The statement added: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo fully acknowledges Obi’s constitutional right to contest the presidency in 2027.
“However, we must confront the stark reality that, despite his considerable social media following, the potential for betrayal looms large.”
“Such betrayal could yield dire consequences, with the Igbo people once again bearing the repercussions, as we did in the elections of 2019 and 2023. In 2019, Mr. Obi was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, and the joint ticket ultimately cost the South-East an additional sixth state, a promise made by former President Muhammadu Buhari to Igbo leaders contingent upon their support.”
Meanwhile, the Labour Party remains embroiled in internal disputes. While Senator Nenadi Usman’s faction claims legitimacy based on the court ruling, it has rejected suggestions of a plot to expel Peter Obi as false and “mischievous.”
Ken Eluma Asogwa, Senior Special Adviser on Media to Usman, condemned the allegations, accusing unnamed actors of trying to sabotage Obi’s efforts to form a broader political coalition:
“Their antics are laughable, illegal and desperate,” he said.
He insisted that “only communications from the Acting National Chairman’s office should be trusted,” adding that Obi’s coalition efforts were fully backed by the party’s leadership, citing a statement issued on May 25 in support of his alliance-building initiatives.
In contrast, the faction led by Julius Abure refuted Usman’s interpretation of the Supreme Court ruling. In a counterstatement, Obiora Ifoh, the LP National Publicity Secretary, clarified that the judgment simply reaffirmed that the judiciary had no jurisdiction over internal party matters, without endorsing any specific leadership.
“Serious aspirants are already engaging with us,” Ifoh stated. “Let the wailers keep wailing; we’re moving forward.”
Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate in the 2023 election, has also weighed in on the ongoing dispute.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme, Datti acknowledged Abure as the legitimate national chairman, based on INEC’s continued recognition.
“When INEC raised issues about the tenure of Abure that necessitated the responses in Umuahia, Abia State, and we did so clearly and legitimately, and I was part of it,” Datti explained.
“The Supreme Court gave a ruling which we interpreted again in favour of the Usman group. Afterwards, INEC continued to relate with the Abure faction. We are law-abiding citizens.”
“Members of LP are being remote-controlled and played with by some powerful forces out there. But they can’t continue to do this forever. Very soon it will end, and what you see going on now is what the authorities at that time said.”
On Monday, Datti participated in a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Abure-led faction in Abuja, where he officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
“There are two key individuals I have tremendous respect for; one is Peter Obi. I welcome him openly. LP welcomes him to come and retain the ticket and contest in 2027 with or without me. And the ADC is welcome to adopt a southern candidate,” he concluded.
