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Catholic priest and author, Rev. Fr. John Okwoeze Odey, has accused some Igbo political leaders of undermining the presidential ambition of Peter Obi, warning that political divisions and electoral violence could further weaken the South-sast ’s political interests.
Odey, in part six of his article titled “The Traitors Among Igbo Political Leaders Versus Peter Obi’s Matchless Popularity,” alleged that some political leaders from the region were discouraging the Igbo from supporting Obi on the grounds that it was not yet their turn to produce Nigeria’s president.
He criticised the positions of the Minister of Works, David Umahi; Anambra state Governor, Chukwuma Soludo; and Enugu state Governor, Peter Mbah, arguing that the region’s political future should not be determined by a few influential individuals.
According to him, “Nigeria belongs to all its citizens. No ethnic group should be compelled to surrender its democratic choices to a political arrangement determined by a few powerful individuals.”
Odey’s intervention followed reports of attacks on supporters of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu state.
He said supporters of the party were allegedly attacked on October 10, 2026 at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, while gathering to welcome Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa ahead of a governorship campaign flag-off.
He also cited a reported attack on the NDC state secretariat in the GRA area of Enugu on the same day, during which one person was reportedly killed and five vehicles damaged.
The cleric further recalled an alleged attack on an NDC ward meeting at Ndiuno-Obuofia Community in Nkanu West local government area on September 12, 2026 during which some participants were reportedly injured.
He called for impartial investigations into the incidents, stressing that political disagreements should not lead to violence or the denial of citizens’ democratic rights.
“Political disagreement must never become an excuse for violence against citizens exercising their democratic rights,” he said.
Odey, however, acknowledged that allegations linking political actors to the attacks required credible evidence, noting that the incidents should be investigated and those responsible brought to justice.
The priest linked his concerns about Nigeria’s political environment to his experience following the publication of his book, This Madness Called Election 2003, which criticised the conduct of the 2003 general elections.
He recalled that shortly after the book was published, he was visited by three men who identified themselves as operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) and told him they had come to take him to Abuja over the publication.
According to him, he agreed to accompany them but requested an opportunity to speak with then President Olusegun Obasanjo for five minutes about the election.
“I told them that I was ready and willing to go with them. More importantly, I told them that I would like them to do me one favour once we got to Abuja. They should allow me to meet President Obasanjo face to face and speak to him just for five minutes about the election,” he recounted.
Odey said the operatives later returned and informed him that they had read the book and found nothing that warranted taking him to Abuja.
He also alleged that copies of the publication were seized from booksellers and that the printing press responsible for publishing it was raided. These claims were presented in his personal account of the events.
The cleric said the experience strengthened his conviction that Nigerians needed courageous voices willing to speak against injustice and defend democratic principles.
In the book, he wrote: “It is possible to rule a people by force. But it is impossible to have peace while you keep others in chains.”
Odey argued that the warning remained relevant to Nigeria’s political development, particularly amid recurring concerns about electoral credibility, political intimidation and the use of violence to suppress opposition.
He also quoted from his second book, After The Madness Called Election 2003, in which he accused political actors of turning elections into battles against citizens who disagreed with them.
The priest cautioned that internal divisions among Igbo political leaders could undermine the region’s collective interests, drawing lessons from the suffering and destruction experienced during the Nigeria-Biafra War.
Quoting Matthew 12:25, he said: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”
He clarified, however, that unity should not mean that all Igbo people must support the same presidential candidate, insisting that democracy required freedom of political choice.
“The people must remain free to make their choices at the ballot box,” he said.
Odey also cautioned against treating allegations of financial inducements involving political leaders as established facts without credible evidence.
He urged political leaders in the South-East to place public welfare above partisan considerations, reject political violence and respect opposing political views.
According to him, Nigeria’s future depends on credible elections, accountability, justice and the protection of citizens’ democratic freedoms.
“The struggle for Nigeria’s future must therefore be a struggle for truth, justice, credible elections and the freedom of every Nigerian to make an independent political choice,” he said.
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