Olayiwola Matthew
The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has strongly criticized former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s recent comments advocating for a Northern presidency in the 2027 elections.
In a statement released by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the group expressed deep concern over Atiku’s apparent disregard for the rotational presidency.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirmed its commitment to a Southern presidency for the period of 2023-2031, citing the need for equitable representation and governance across Nigeria.
The statement also emphasized the Igbo people’s gratitude for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing infrastructure development in Southeastern Nigeria.
According to Isiguzoro, “We assert, without equivocation, that the conclusion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Northern term—spanning eight years from 2015 to 2023—must mark a transition of leadership back to Southern Nigeria, from 2023 to 2031.”
The group criticized Atiku’s “relentless pursuit of Northern hegemony,” which has damaged his reputation among the Igbo people.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo also repudiated Atiku’s “exclusionary agenda” and his attempts to reduce the Igbo people to a secondary status within the political milieu.
Instead, the group threw its weight behind President Tinubu’s leadership, citing the significant infrastructural progress unfolding across Southeastern Nigeria.
As Isiguzoro stated, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s vision is not contingent upon Atiku Abubakar’s advocacy for a Northern presidency but rather is firmly anchored in the significant infrastructural progress currently unfolding across Southeastern Nigeria.”