The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has affirmed that any Igbo individual is eligible to contest in the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued late Wednesday and personally signed by Senator John Azuta Mbata, President General of Ohanaeze, the group stressed that no Igbo person is barred from exercising their political rights.
While reiterating that Ohanaeze is not a political party, Mbata urged Igbos to actively participate in the political process through lawful engagement in the parties of their choice.
“Any Igbo person who belongs to a political party and wants to contest any elections whatsoever in 2027 is free to do so,” the statement noted.
“Any publication to the contrary is fake news, did not originate from Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and should be discountenanced by the entirety of Ndigbo.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is a socio-cultural organization of Ndigbo and not a political party. As such, Ohanaeze is not in a position to say, dictate or even advise on who should and shouldn’t contest elections in Nigeria in 2027 or at any time for that matter.
“Ndigbo are advised to continue their lawful political activities in the various political parties of their choice and membership,” it added.
Earlier, reports surfaced that a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had declared that no Igbo candidate would contest the 2027 presidential election against incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group stated that the earliest realistic opportunity for the Southeast to produce a president is 2035, not 2027.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki and signed by the Deputy President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo faction, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and the National Spokesman, Thompson Ohia, the organization said the decision followed a key meeting with Southeast political leaders, Imeobi, and Nzukoumunna.
