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.”
Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, whose romance with the ruling APC ended in disappointment Saturday evening has hit the road again for a new suitor.
Failure to arrive at a mutual sharing formula put paid to the political romance between the governor and the ruling party.
Factional chairman of PDP in the state, Alhaji Sama’ila Adamu Burga told reporters in Bauchi that one of the key conditions tabled by the PDP was a 60/40 sharing formula.
He noted that the talks was accordingly discontinued with the group now seeking a new party to join ahead of the 2027 elections
His words: “simply we have agreed that we are coming but we have certain conditions we want to forward to you.
“One, we want to form at least 60 percent of the party while the APC hold on to 40 percent. Also, there are some federal projects we have executed in this state, please pay us our money. To my understanding, none of the conditions has been fulfilled.
“The issue of 60-40 sharing formula does not emanate only from Bauchi State. Everywhere in the country where there was defection, this sharing formula was adopted; some were even 70 – 30. Because it would be wrong for a governor coming with a government, from councillors to himself, without having any control of the party, as such, this was the standard, but it was rejected.
Burga said the PDP faction in Bauchi State, in consultation with the governor and other stakeholders, would now consider options outside the APC.
Governor Mohammed belongs to the Turaki-led faction of the PDP which is not recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the strength of a court judgement.
Moves to admit Governor Bala Mohammed into the All Progressives Congress, APC, has caused division in the Bauchi State caucus of the party.
It was learnt that the division became visible during a caucus meeting held in Abuja, where members expressed divergent views on the political and structural implications of the governor’s proposed defection.
Speaking with journalist during a press conference in Abuja, acting Secretary of the caucus, Rep. Dabo Ismail, said the committee has been mandated to articulate and present the caucus’ demands and conditions to the party’s national leadership in the event of any defection into the APC.
In order to resolve the division, the caucus unanimously agreed to constitute a high-powered committee.
The committee will also engage critical stakeholders to ensure a smooth and inclusive negotiation process, represent the caucus in all discussions relating to potential defections from the PDP-led government, and provide periodic updates to members on the progress of engagements.
Ismail, however, said the governor is welcomed to join the party, but urged the National Leadership of the party to carry stakeholders at the state along in the negotiations.
Ismail described the initiative as a “democratic mechanism” designed to accommodate differing opinions while preserving party cohesion.
Speaking after the caucus meeting, the senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District and Chairman of the Bauchi APC caucus, Sama’ila Dahuwa, expressed strong dissatisfaction with what they described as a lack of prior consultation by the party’s national leadership on a matter of such significance.
According to them, sidelining state stakeholders undermines the principles of internal democracy, inclusiveness, and respect for established party structures.
“The omission is unacceptable,” the caucus stated, warning against imposing decisions without broad-based engagement with key stakeholders at the state level.
He disclosed that the committee comprised top-ranking party figures, including a serving minister, former governors and two senators.
The caucus resolved to formally communicate its position and grievances to the APC national leadership, insisting on strict adherence to due process and internal consultation.
The Caucus warned that poorly managed integration of new entrants could alienate loyal party members and weaken cohesion within the party.
It will be recalled that Governor Mohammed, on March 31, disclosed plans to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), amid increasing political realignments ahead of future elections.
His position gained further attention after a recent visit by the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to the Bauchi Government House for a closed-door meeting.
Failure to arrive at a mutual sharing formula has put paid to the political romance between the ruling All Progressives Congress and Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed.
Governor Mohammed belongs to the Turaki-led faction of the PDP which is not recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the strength of a court judgement.
The APC had been wooing him to join the party and swell its camp ahead of the 2027 elections. But the deal which was earlier looking good collapsed Saturday evening over failure to reach agreement on sharing formula.
The failure of the deal follows what the PDP described as the refusal of the APC to concede to it 60 per cent of the structure that would have resulted from the now called off re-alignment of forces in the state.
Factional chairman of PDP in the state, Alhaji Sama’ila Adamu Burga told reporters in Bauchi yesterday that the talks have accordingly been discontinued with the group now seeking a new party to join ahead of the 2027 elections
Burga said that following recent engagements between the governor and APC leaders, discussions were initiated by the APC, which invited the governor and other top PDP members in the state to consider joining the ruling party.
According to him, the governor responded to the invitation out of respect for the personalities involved and in line with his commitment to dialogue and inclusiveness.
Involved in the meetings, he said, were Vice President Kashim Shettima, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and three former governors.
However, he said after extensive consultations with stakeholders within the faction, it became clear that the conditions collectively advanced for the political realignment were not acceptable to the APC leadership.
Burga said one of the key conditions tabled by the PDP was a 60/40 sharing formula .
His words: “simply we have agreed that we are coming but we have certain conditions we want to forward to you.
“One, we want to form at least 60 percent of the party while the APC hold on to 40 percent. Also, there are some federal projects we have executed in this state, please pay us our money. To my understanding, none of the conditions has been fulfilled.
“The issue of 60-40 sharing formula does not emanate only from Bauchi State. Everywhere in the country where there was defection, this sharing formula was adopted; some were even 70 – 30. Because it would be wrong for a governor coming with a government, from councillors to himself, without having any control of the party, as such, this was the standard, but it was rejected.
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