2027: ‘Atiku Should Retire From Active Politics, Align With Peter Obi, Kwankwaso’

The Chidi Ibeh-led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to retire from active politics and embrace the role of a statesman.

In a statement on Tuesday through its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group advised Atiku to back Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Ohanaeze warned that if Atiku fails to realign with Obi and Kwankwaso before 2027, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would likely consolidate its position in power.

According to the group, Peter Obi’s acceptance of the Supreme Court judgment that upheld the declaration of APC’s Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential elections has endeared him to Nigerians across the political spectrum as a true democrat.

The statement reads: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation representing the Igbo people, vehemently asserts that the Labour Party (LP)’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, did not contest the 2023 elections solely as an Igbo man or on Igbo platforms; rather, his candidacy was driven by his vision for a new and prosperous Nigeria, one that transcends ethnic divisions and fosters unity among all Nigerians.

“Looking forward, Ohanaeze Ndigbo anticipates that the opposition parties will face an arduous challenge in the 2027 elections, if Tinubu declares his interest in seeking re-election as a sitting President. It will be an uphill battle for the PDP, LP, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) unless they unite and form a formidable political party.”

According to The Guardian, Ohanaeze urged Atiku to retire from active politics and bolster the opposition’s political future in 2027 by supporting Obi and kwankwaso.