Ohanaeze rejects ADC coalition and declares unwavering support for President Tinubu, criticising key opposition figures over past actions and credibility
Ohanaeze rejects ADC coalition in a strongly worded statement that has stirred political tensions ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Also read: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lauds Tinubu for Honouring Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Calls for INEC HQ Naming
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation dismissed the African Democratic Congress-led opposition bloc as unfit to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing credibility issues among its presidential aspirants.
The group, through its Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, described the coalition as a gathering of individuals allegedly tainted by corruption, desperation for power, and complicity in violent activities.
The statement, released in Enugu, asserted that the group lacked both moral authority and the political structure to unseat the incumbent.
“Ohanaeze rejects ADC coalition without ambiguity,” Isiguzoro said. “This alliance is nothing more than a congregation of strange bedfellows driven by the singular ambition of state capture. It blatantly disregards the collective aspirations of Nigerians.”
According to Isiguzoro, the coalition’s leading figures—including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Transport Minister Chibuike Amaechi—have unresolved transgressions against the South East.
He accused Atiku of marginalising the Igbo during the 2022 PDP primaries and said his actions would not be forgotten.
El-Rufai, he claimed, must be held accountable for the violent episodes in Southern Kaduna during his tenure. “Why did the killings stop after his departure?” he asked.
The organisation also lambasted Amaechi over the alleged neglect of the South East in railway infrastructure development.
“He approved standard gauge rail lines for other regions, while relegating ours to a single gauge, which he later abandoned,” said Isiguzoro.
The latest declaration affirms Ohanaeze’s continued support for President Bola Tinubu. “We reaffirm our earlier stance,” the statement continued.
“The Igbo support for President Tinubu is unwavering. The endorsement of any opposition alliance is a fiction that does not reflect the reality on ground.”
During the recent Igbo Day celebrations in Asaba, Delta State, Igbo leaders reportedly reached a unanimous resolution to withdraw support from opposition parties in favour of Tinubu’s administration.
Isiguzoro stressed that the decision stands firm and should not be misrepresented.
He pointed to Tinubu’s performance in governance as a key factor in winning continued support from the region.
“Close associates of the President, such as Dr Bello Matawalle and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, have performed commendably,” he said.
“They are well positioned to neutralise any northern challenge posed by Atiku or El-Rufai.”
In the South East, the organisation hailed the efforts of Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, and regional governors who are “ready to deliver the zone for Tinubu.”
Likewise, it credited FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Senate President Godswill Akpabio with securing Tinubu’s grip on the Niger Delta.
A more explosive element of the statement involved a call for transparency concerning allegations involving Mrs Judith Amaechi.
Ohanaeze urged President Tinubu to order the release of forensic audit reports related to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“There are serious claims that Mrs Amaechi collected ₦48 billion in monthly disbursements for phantom women empowerment projects.
These claims, raised by Minister Wike, must not be brushed aside,” Isiguzoro said. “The integrity of federal governance depends on transparency and swift action.”
A political analyst reacting to the statement noted, “This is not just a rejection. It’s a message to every aspirant: the South East will hold you accountable for your past.”
Also read: Tinubu Honours Colonel Umar for June 12 Democratic Struggle
As Nigeria braces for another high-stakes election cycle, the message is clear—Ohanaeze rejects ADC coalition and is prepared to defend its political allegiance with facts, memory, and unrelenting conviction.
