Fallout of Bye-elections: Ohanaeze implores Peter Obi to reconsider 2027 presidential ambition

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to rigorously reconsider his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Igbo socio-cultural body, in an electronic statement made to Fresh Angle International Tuesday August 19, hinged the call on what it described as the significant underperformance of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the bye-elections held across 12 states in the country last Saturday.

Deputy President- General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in the statement, noted: “The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, addresses the nation with a solemn pronouncement regarding the unsettling outcomes of the recent bye-elections conducted on Saturday, August 16, 2025, across sixteen constituencies nationwide.

“These electoral results, marked by the significant underperformance of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have elicited a profound sense of dismay and disillusionment throughout Nigeria.

“It is with a resolute sense of responsibility and candor that we declare: the opposition coalition has demonstrated a concerning inability to effectively challenge the incumbent ruling party as the nation approaches the critical 2027 elections.

“The unexpected victories of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, notably under the leadership of His Excellency, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, over ADC candidates – particularly those supported by the former Governor, Mr. Peter Obi – represent a significant contradiction to the prevailing perception that the Southeast region unequivocally aligns itself with Mr. Obi’s political aspirations.

“This electoral result not only diminishes Mr. Obi’s perceived influence, but also prompts critical examination of the ADC's viability as a credible and consequential political entity within Nigeria. The outcome of these elections serves as a vital indicator, revealing a concerning disparity between the expectations of the electorate and the demonstrable capabilities of the ADC.

“Given these developments, Ohanaeze Ndigbo feels obligated to communicate this unadulterated assessment to the leadership of the opposition coalition. The stark reality of the ADC’s electoral failures, has engendered considerable apprehension within the Nigerian populace concerning the party’s capacity to offer meaningful opposition or a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It is a matter of deep concern that, despite considerable anticipation that the ADC would secure a substantial number of seats, the party failed to achieve even a single victory in this crucial electoral exercise.

“As we reflect on these results, a thorough introspection of the ADC's strategies and a more substantive engagement with the electorate become paramount. The party's current approach, characterized by a disproportionate reliance on social media pronouncements and a perceived lack of meaningful interaction with the Nigerian citizenry, is demonstrably inadequate to surmount the challenges that lie ahead. The Igbo people, now more politically astute than ever, are disinclined to entrust their collective future to a weakened opposition party, whether it be the ADC or the Labour Party.

“Furthermore, we implore Mr. Peter Obi to rigorously reconsider his decision to contest the 2027 presidential election against His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The recent electoral defeats of his ADC-supported candidates serve as a stark reminder of the formidable challenges that await him.

“The political landscape is undergoing dynamic transformation, and it is imperative that Mr. Obi and his supporters accurately assess the prevailing realities. The Southeast governors and Igbo political leadership, under the leadership of Senator David Umahi, have publicly expressed their intention to deliver a significant portion, up to ninety percent, of the Southeast votes to President Tinubu.

“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the political advancement of the Igbo people and the broader Nigerian society. We implore all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue, comprehensively re-evaluate strategies, and collaborate in earnest to forge a future that embodies the collective aspirations and hopes of all Nigerians. The imperative for profound reflection and decisive action is unequivocally now.”

×