Politics

Ndi ABAT to Obi: Drop your ambition to avoid political humiliation for Ndigbo

Published

2 months ago

April 19, 2026

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.”

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Politics

‘Our man putting Aso Rock under pressure’

Published

1 hour ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

NEFERTITI, a prominent supporter of Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi, has claimed that the sustained criticism directed at Obi by several political figures reflects the growing influence of the former Anambra State governor ahead of the 2027 elections.

In a post shared on X, NEFERTITI alleged that a number of politicians and public commentators had focused their attacks on Obi, suggesting that the attention underscored his political relevance.

According to the post, individuals including Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, Labour Party factional leader Julius Abure, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, and former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole had all targeted Obi in their public remarks.

“The entire Establishment is attacking one man,” the post stated.

NEFERTITI also pointed to what she described as a pattern of political leaders making repeated assurances of electoral support for President Bola Tinubu in their respective states. She listed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Works Minister Dave Umahi, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori among those allegedly making such commitments.

The X user argued that the repeated declarations by political office holders highlighted the pressure Obi was exerting on Nigeria’s political establishment.

“Our man is on everyone’s lips,” NEFERTITI wrote, adding that it takes significant political influence for “one man to put Aso Rock and the entire Establishment under constant pressure.”

The comments come amid increasing political activity and early positioning by key actors ahead of the 2027 general elections, with supporters of various political figures intensifying debates over the country’s leadership and future electoral prospects.

Neither the individuals mentioned in the post nor the Presidency had responded to the claims at the time of filing this report.

Politics

Northern influencer urges ADC to merge structure with NDC

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

A northern social media influencer and supporter of Peter Obi, Shehu Gazali Sadiq, has reiterated his position that Atiku may not feature on the ballot in the 2027 general elections, citing recent legal developments involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a post shared on social media, Sadiq recalled that he had predicted two weeks earlier that Atiku would not contest the 2027 presidential election under the ADC platform, adding that many had dismissed his comments at the time.

According to him, a High Court in Abuja has now directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a development he argued could significantly affect the party’s political calculations ahead of the next election cycle.

Sadiq maintained that although the ADC is expected to challenge the ruling on appeal, such efforts would be futile because the party’s leadership dispute remains the subject of ongoing litigation.

He further urged the ADC to merge its structure with the NDC and throw its support behind Peter Obi for the presidency in 2027.

“It is time to advise the ADC to collapse its structure into NDC and support Peter Obi for president,” he wrote, expressing optimism about the country’s future by concluding that “Nigeria will be OK.”

The comments reflect the growing political debates and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties and stakeholders continue to position themselves in an evolving political landscape.

Politics

2027: ADC candidates in panic mode

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

Winners of primary elections conducted by the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 elections are in panic mode.

This is following an Abuja Federal High Court order on Monday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should deregister the party and four others.

The affected parties are the African

Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Observers had said the development could significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general election.

Already, sources said some candidates of the ADC are seriously jittery as over the uncertainties surrounding the party’s participation in the coming elections.

A top party member told newsdiggers.com that the court decision has unsettled many candidates.

“‘ Obviously, there is anxiety. The candidates can’t be merrying or partying over such order. It is better to lose at the polls than to be prevented from taking part in this controversial manner.”

He added: ” Any candidate who is not strong willed can develop high blood pressure and slump because they have spent so much financially, psychologically and emotionally to this this far.”

A source close to a candidate in the Southeast said. “My principal became instantly feverish immediately the news broke yesterday.”

In spite of the party assurance that it would participate in the election, the source said the principal remains pessimistic, saying: “He fears that even if they participate, the court can still turn around and nullify the results especially in places where ADC does well.”

Delivering the judgment that has put the fate of ADC in the balance, Justice Peter Lifu held that the parties failed to meet the constitutional requirements necessary to retain their registration and directed INEC to take steps to deregister them.

The suit was instituted by a group of former lawmakers, who asked the court to determine whether INEC was constitutionally obligated to deregister political parties that failed to satisfy the performance benchmarks outlined in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

According to the plaintiffs, the affected parties consistently failed to meet the conditions required for continued registration. These include securing at least 25 per cent of votes cast in a state during a presidential election or winning elective positions at the national, state, or local government levels.

The group argued that the five parties did not attain the prescribed electoral threshold during the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections conducted by INEC.

They contended that allowing the parties to remain on the register despite their poor electoral performance amounted to a violation of constitutional provisions and undermined the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.

The plaintiffs also urged the court to compel INEC to deregister the parties before preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.

In addition, they sought an order restraining the affected parties from participating in elections, conducting party primaries, organising rallies, or engaging in other political activities pending compliance with constitutional requirements.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu upheld the arguments of the plaintiffs and ordered INEC to deregister the five political parties.

The judgment could have major political implications, particularly for the ADC, which has recently been linked to opposition coalition talks ahead of the 2027 presidential election. However, it remains unclear whether the affected parties will challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.