Ohanaeze Faction Endorses Tinubu For 2027, Wants New States Created, Nnamdi Kanu Released

Ahead of the 2027 general election, a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has formally endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office.

In a statement signed by its Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Sunday, the group appealed to the President to leverage his executive authority to ensure the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in 2025.

Isiguzoro emphasized that the release of the IPOB leader is more than an act of mercy; it represents a critical step toward restoring peace and addressing the insecurity challenges that have gripped the Southeast.

He further stressed that stability in the region is essential, noting that peace cannot thrive amidst ongoing violence and discord.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization also called for expedited efforts to complete rehabilitation and reconstruction projects on the Southeast’s dilapidated federal roads. Under the supervision of Senator David Umahi as Minister of Works, these projects are considered crucial for fostering economic growth and social cohesion in the region. The group insisted that the completion of these projects before the end of 2026 is non-negotiable.

Naija News reports that Ohanaeze, in the statement, highlighted the importance of upholding Nigeria’s unwritten agreement on rotational presidency between the North and South, describing it as a cornerstone of equity and fairness in the country’s democracy.

With the North having completed an eight-year presidency under Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, the group reaffirmed its stance that the South should retain leadership from 2023 to 2031.

The statement also addressed the state of the political landscape, criticizing the opposition for its lack of coherence and leadership.

Ohanaeze cautioned against political maneuvers that could undermine the collective aspirations of the Igbo people, recalling the adverse outcomes of prior alliances with figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi in 2019.

The organization proposed other measures to advance the Southeast, including accurate representation in the 2025 Census, which should account for ethnic and religious demographics, the creation of new states like Anioma in the South-South and Aba in the Southeast, and the revitalization of key economic corridors. Strategic projects such as reopening the Calabar Seaport, reviving the Enugu Coal Mine, establishing the Akwete Blue River Deep Seaport, and upgrading railway networks were highlighted as essential for boosting the region’s economic potential.

Ohanaeze concluded by calling for unity among the Igbo people to align with a vision centered on peace, infrastructural development, and regional progress.

The group underscored its allegiance to the wellbeing of the Southeast, affirming its commitment to ensuring a brighter and more stable future for the region.