Abakaliki, Nigeria – August 24, 2025 – The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has declared that no individual of Igbo descent will contest the presidency in the 2027 general elections against incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The group said it is aligning its political strategy toward securing the Nigerian presidency for the Southeast region in 2035.
In a statement issued over the weekend and signed by the Deputy President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo faction, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and the National Spokesman, Chief Thompson Ohia, the group revealed that the decision followed a high-level meeting with Southeast political stakeholders, including members of the Imeobi and Nzukoumunna caucuses.
The group said it had resolved to support President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, describing it as a strategic move to foster national stability and build alliances necessary for a successful Southeast presidential ambition in 2035.
“Following extensive consultations and dialogues, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in collaboration with Southeast political leaders, has reached a unanimous and resolute conclusion that no Igbo candidate will contest the 2027 presidency against the incumbent,” the statement read.
The organization emphasized that its long-term political calculations rest on a post-Tinubu transition, positing that the most practical path to an Igbo presidency lies within the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially if the party’s zoning arrangement is adjusted in 2035.
Among a lineup of respected Igbo political figures, Ohanaeze identified the current Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, as the most viable and prepared candidate to lead Nigeria in 2035.
“While the Southeast is blessed with numerous capable leaders — including Peter Obi, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Pius Anyim, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Rochas Okorocha, and others — Senator David Umahi stands out due to his proven track record, administrative competence, and experience at both state and federal levels,” the group noted.
Ohanaeze projected that the Igbo bloc will overwhelmingly support Tinubu in 2027, estimating up to 95% backing from the region.
“We hereby affirm our unwavering support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. This endorsement is a calculated political strategy designed to ensure cooperation and national unity while positioning the Southeast for a successful presidential bid in 2035,” the statement added.
The group further stated that it anticipates the North will take its turn in 2031 after Tinubu’s expected second term, thereby making 2035 the next viable window for the Southeast to produce Nigeria’s first president of Igbo extraction.
“Our collective ambition to achieve the Igbo presidency in 2035 hinges on sustained political engagement, trust-building, and strategic alliances across Nigeria’s diverse regions,” Ohanaeze concluded.
The statement has already sparked debate across the political landscape, with analysts pointing to its implications for Southeast unity, national power dynamics, and the future of opposition politics in the region.
