Politics
Ndi ABAT to Obi: Drop your ambition to avoid political humiliation for Ndigbo
Ndigbo for Tinubu 2027 Forum (NDI-ABAT), a coalition of prominent Igbo groups, has advised Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate , Peter Obi to drop his presidential ambition to avoid bringing political shame to the Southeast.
The group made the call in a statement signed by the National Coordinator Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and the Secretary-General Dr. Ugwuoke Ugwuoke Jr.
The statement reads: “we appeal to Mr. Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, to reconsider his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election. This plea is made with the utmost sense of responsibility to the Igbo people and the well-being of the entire nation. We implore Mr. Obi to reflect deeply on the political realities that lie ahead and recognize that continuing with his presidential bid is unlikely to benefit the Igbo people, nor Nigeria at large.”
The NDI-ABAT unequivocally asserts that the odds favor President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win the 2027 elections, “surpassing not just Mr. Peter Obi, but all other contenders, including Atiku Abubakar, Chibuike Amaechi, and the candidates from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). It is, therefore, with a sense of urgency and an eye towards the future that we suggest that Mr. Peter Obi should withdraw from the presidential race, for the sake of Ndigbo and the broader political landscape.”
NDI-ABAT stressed that Mr. Peter Obi is not the Igbo consensus candidate for the 2027 presidency. “It is paramount that we, as a people, accept the hard truth: Mr. Obi’s political ambitions, while valid under the law, do not reflect the collective will of the Igbo people. Recently, in a media interaction, Mr. Obi stated that he was running for the presidency not based on tribal identity or religion but as a Nigerian. Such a statement, while politically expedient, underscores the reality that Mr. Obi does not require Igbo votes in 2027, nor does he represent the aspirations of the Igbo nation in this election cycle.
“It is therefore with the greatest respect and the clearest foresight that NDI-ABAT calls on Mr. Obi to withdraw from the race. This is not merely a political suggestion; it is a plea to save the Igbo people from another bitter electoral defeat. The reality of Mr. Obi’s political trajectory points towards an inevitable loss, one that would, unfortunately, tarnish the prospects of the Igbo nation in future national elections.
“Furthermore, we urge Mr. Obi to ignore the voices of his supporters on social media, particularly those of the Obidient Movement. While it is true that the movement has garnered significant attention online, it is equally true that the majority of those who call themselves Obidients are neither eligible voters nor political actors with any tangible influence over the outcome of the election. Many of them are diaspora Nigerians, none of who possesses voter cards or have any electoral legitimacy. The “Obidient Movement” cannot be allowed to dictate the political direction of Ndigbo, especially when their voices are amplified not through electoral engagement, but through ephemeral online discourse.
NDI-ABAT also pointed out that the Igbo people have already moved to the mainstream ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), after Mr. Obi’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. “All Southeast governors have expressed their unequivocal support for President Tinubu’s 2027 reelection bid, recognizing that the future of the Igbo people lies in a united, national framework of governance. Moreover, the infrastructure development currently underway in the Southeast, including key federal roads and other projects led by Senator Dave Umahi, serves as a testament to the constructive and cooperative engagement between the Igbo people and the Tinubu administration. These developments not only reflect the practical gains of the Igbo people under the current leadership but also underscore the fact that President Tinubu has already secured the loyalty of the Southeast in the 2027 election.
“We, therefore, declare without reservation that Peter Obi will lose the Southeast to President Tinubu in 2027. The support for Tinubu in the region is undeniable, and it is clear that the Igbo people, under the leadership of their governors and key stakeholders, have chosen to align with the APC rather than pursue a divisive path that will lead only to electoral defeat. To continue this political pursuit would not only be futile but would risk further political disenfranchisement for the Igbo people in the immediate term.”
Concluding, the group said “NDI-ABAT firmly states that President Tinubu will win the 2027 presidential election, and the Igbo people must not allow themselves to be led astray by hollow promises or misguided political calculations. Mr. Obi’s withdrawal from the race would not only spare the Igbo nation from another embarrassing defeat but would also open the door for more meaningful engagement in national politics as we approach the time for Igbo presidency in 2035.Let us unite for the good of Ndigb and Nigeria, recognizing that the path to true leadership for the Igbo people will come, but it will not come through divisive, unnecessary contestation in 2027.”
By Philippine Duru
philippineobetoduru@gmail.com
08034905774
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Princewill Dike, has declared that Ikwerre Local Government Area will be a difficult political terrain for former Minister of Transportation and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Vice-Presidential Candidate, Chibuike Amaechi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dike, a lawyer and human rights activist, said Amaechi should not expect an easy political battle in Ikwerre or other parts of Rivers State, arguing that the state’s political dynamics had changed significantly.
He made the assertion on Saturday in a commentary posted on his Facebook page, Princewill Dike Platform.
According to him, Amaechi was fully aware of the political realities in Ikwerre and Rivers State and should therefore not anticipate an easy victory in the 2027 elections.
“Amaechi is fully aware of the political realities in Ikwerre and Rivers State, and should not expect an easy victory in the state during the next general elections,” Dike said.
The APC chieftain argued that Amaechi’s past political influence and access to federal structures did not translate into electoral victory in Rivers, questioning what would be different in 2027.
He said the emergence of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had significantly altered the political calculations in the state, particularly regarding federal influence and grassroots political structures.
“Whether Amaechi, who could not secure victory despite enjoying considerable federal backing in the past, will now be able to defeat the political structure associated with Wike remains doubtful,” he said.
Dike described Ikwerre as a particularly challenging battleground for Amaechi, stressing that the political realities on the ground should not be underestimated by anyone preparing for the 2027 elections.
He also predicted the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 and expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of the Rivers political coalition linked to the FCT Minister.
“Amaechi, who couldn’t win with his federal might, battalion of soldiers and INEC in his beck and call, is it now that the political wonder boy of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, is in charge of the federal might and everything incidental thereto, that he (Amaechi) will win? Abeg, tell me something else jari?” Dike asked.
Quoting from the Scriptures, the APC leader added: “What seest thou? I see P-BAT re-elected, OK Chinda and all the Rivers coalition candidates elected.”
Dike, who is also a philanthropist, maintained that the political tide was already taking shape in Rivers State, saying the strength of emerging alliances and grassroots structures would play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the 2027 elections.
By Philippine Duru
philippineobetoduru@gmail.com
08034905774
A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alubarika, has projected that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the 2027 presidential election in four of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi are expected to dominate the North-East and South-East respectively.
Alubarika made the projection in a post on his verified X handle, formerly Twitter, where he assessed the likely performance of the major contenders based on what he described as his political experience, grassroots engagement and understanding of Nigeria’s electoral dynamics.
According to his projection, Tinubu would secure 50 per cent of the vote in the North Central, compared with 25 per cent for Atiku, 20 per cent for Obi and five per cent for other candidates.
The North Central zone comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.
In the North-East, however, Alubarika predicted an advantage for Atiku, giving the former vice president 50 per cent, against 40 per cent for Tinubu. Obi and other candidates were each projected to secure five per cent.
The North-East comprises Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.
In the North-West, Alubarika again placed Tinubu ahead with 50 per cent, followed by Atiku with 30 per cent, Obi with 15 per cent and other candidates with five per cent.
For the South-East, the APC chieftain predicted a strong showing for Obi, projecting him to win 50 per cent of the vote. Tinubu was placed at 35 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at five per cent.
Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is expected to draw significant support from the region.
Alubarika also projected a 50 per cent share for Tinubu in the South-South, compared with 25 per cent for Obi, 20 per cent for Atiku and five per cent for other candidates.
The South-West recorded Tinubu’s highest projected performance, with Alubarika putting the incumbent president at 69 per cent. Obi was projected at 15 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at six per cent.
Explaining his assessment, Alubarika said he believed the projection was about 75 per cent accurate, while acknowledging that political dynamics could change considerably before the election.
“Politics is never an exact science, and a lot can change before 2027,” he said.
He urged Nigerians and political observers to keep his prediction and compare it with the actual results after the election.
“When the votes are counted and the dust settles, come back and give me my flowers,” he wrote.
The projection is not based on an opinion poll or official electoral data but represents Alubarika’s personal assessment of the likely voting pattern ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
With the election still ahead, political alliances, party structures, candidate nominations, regional dynamics, economic conditions and other emerging issues could alter the current political calculations.
By Philippine Duru
philippineobetoduru@gmail.com
08034905774
Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he can no longer identify with the party.
Sylva announced his decision in a letter dated August 31, 2026, in which he expressed concerns over the direction of the party and the conduct of its leadership.
The former governor accused the APC leadership of promoting the notion that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that the principle had contributed to practices he said were inconsistent with the values he expected from the party.
He also criticised the performance of the Federal Government, expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as shortcomings under the APC-led administration.
Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” Sylva said his continued association with the party was no longer tenable.
The former petroleum minister also copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the letter, alleging that the anti-graft agency was increasingly being used as an instrument of the APC.
Sylva’s resignation comes amid heightened political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with defections and realignments increasingly shaping the country’s political landscape.
His departure could have political implications in Bayelsa and the wider South-South region, where he remains a prominent figure in the APC and Nigerian politics.
The development is expected to trigger further reactions within the party as political actors continue to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
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