Ohanaeze Ndigbo Accuses Atiku Of Betraying Igbos, Says He Wants Peter Obi As VP

The Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has strongly criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his push for a northern presidency in 2027. The group stated that through his efforts and his alliance with Peter Obi, Atiku appears to want to make the former Labour Party presidential candidate his Vice President.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ohanaeze Ndigbo reiterated its opposition to any attempts to install a northern president in 2027, asserting that power should remain in the south until 2031.

The group further condemned Atiku’s push for a northern presidency, calling it provocative and out of step with the current dynamics of Nigerian politics, and claiming it shows a disregard for the southeast. In a statement signed by the group’s Secretary General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the organization said Atiku’s pursuit of a northern presidency has damaged his reputation among the Igbo people.

The statement read: “The apex Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, issues a strong and unequivocal response to the recent statements made by former Vice President and 2023 PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, advocating for a Northern Presidency in 2027.

“This provocative endorsement undermines the evolving dynamics of Nigerian politics and raises serious concerns about the erosion of the rotational presidency—a crucial element of our democratic system since 1999.

“By promoting a northern candidate, Atiku has shown a lack of support for southern aspirants like Peter Obi, who enjoys significant support among the Igbo community. This disregard is a clear attempt to undermine Obi’s political influence within the opposition, with the troubling suggestion that he should be relegated to a vice-presidential role. This is unacceptable and reflects a disturbing political trend.

“Given these developments, Ohanaeze Ndigbo categorically rejects any potential alliance with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as his actions blatantly disregard the time-honored agreement on rotational presidency. We firmly state that following President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year northern presidency, leadership must transition back to the south from 2023 to 2031 to ensure fair representation and governance.

“Atiku Abubakar’s relentless push for northern dominance has seriously harmed his standing with the Igbo people, as it directly contradicts our aspirations for inclusion and progress.”

Ohanaeze also alleged that Atiku is attempting to diminish Peter Obi’s stature by positioning him as a subordinate in his efforts to promote a northern candidate. The statement continued: “Atiku’s rhetoric has shown a troubling exclusionary agenda, dismissing southern candidates like Obi as unfit for leadership. This undermines Obi’s position as a strong opposition leader and attempts to reduce the Igbo people to a secondary role in the political landscape. Ohanaeze Ndigbo unequivocally rejects such political tactics.

“Furthermore, our vision is not shaped by Atiku’s push for a northern presidency, but by the substantial infrastructural progress underway in Southeastern Nigeria,” the statement concluded.

While expressing support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Ohanaeze Ndigbo noted that during Atiku’s tenure as Vice President, the needs of the southeast were not prioritized.