2027: Igbo agenda group endorses Peter Obi for president

The Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD) has endorsed the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, for the 2027 presidential election, describing him as its preferred candidate to lead Nigeria.

The organisation also declared support for former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Obi’s running mate, urging eligible Igbo voters to mobilise in support of the ticket.

The National Chairman of the IAD, Chief Dr Chekwas Okorie, announced the endorsement on Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja, saying the organisation reached the decision after assessing the records, leadership capacity, integrity and commitment to public service of leading presidential aspirants.

Okorie said the group consulted widely with Igbo unions, market associations, women’s organisations, youth groups and civil society organisations in Nigeria and the diaspora before arriving at its position.

He said the decision was informed by the need to elect a leader capable of addressing Nigeria’s challenges through compassionate leadership, prudent management of public resources and a commitment to national development.

“We came to the unanimous resolution that it will be in the best interest of Nigeria to elect Mr Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as the President of Nigeria,” he said.

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According to him, Obi has attracted considerable support across ethnic and religious divides and offers Nigerians an opportunity to choose a leader based on competence, accountability and the capacity to address the country’s challenges.

The IAD chairman also criticised what he described as Nigeria’s longstanding reliance on older political leaders, arguing that the 2027 election presents an opportunity for Nigerians to support a different leadership direction.

He urged eligible Igbo voters to participate actively in the election and work alongside other Nigerians supporting Obi’s presidential ambition.

Okorie claimed that Igbo people constitute a significant proportion of the voting population across Nigeria, arguing that their participation could contribute substantially to the election outcome.

He said the organisation would intensify its mobilisation efforts through its networks to secure victory for Obi in 2027.

Explaining the historical basis of the endorsement, Okorie recalled instances in which Igbo political leaders collaborated with politicians from other parts of the country to form governments and promote national unity.

He cited the political alliance between the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), led by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, and the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC), which facilitated the formation of Nigeria’s First Republic government under Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa.

He also referenced the political understanding between the Nigerian Peoples Party, led by Azikiwe, and the National Party of Nigeria during the Second Republic.

Okorie further recalled how Igbo political leaders supported the Peoples Democratic Party during the transition to civilian rule in 1999, following assurances that former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme would receive backing for the presidency.

He said the experience, which culminated in Ekwueme’s defeat at the party’s presidential primary, reinforced the importance of strategic political decisions by the Igbo.

The IAD chairman also appealed to Igbo politicians supporting other presidential candidates to focus their campaigns on issues rather than engage in divisive rhetoric.

He maintained that the Igbo had historically supported political leaders from other ethnic groups, citing the election of Alhaji Umaru Altine, a Fulani politician, as mayor of Enugu in the First Republic.

According to Okorie, these examples demonstrate the importance of political cooperation, tolerance and national unity. He called on Nigerians to reject divisive tendencies and support leadership that prioritises public welfare and national development.

The organisation reiterated its commitment to intensifying its campaign for Obi and Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 presidential election.