Abuja, Nigeria – Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has sparked controversy by urging the South-East to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, claiming it will strengthen Igbo bargaining power in Nigerian politics. However, critics say Kalu is out of touch with the people, and the South-East will not vote for APC or Tinubu.
“The speaker is wrong, and he’s going against what his people want,” said Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika, National Legal Adviser of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC). “The South-East will not vote for APC, and they will not vote for Tinubu. The Tinubu administration has not been good to the South-Eastern region and its people”.
The region, predominantly inhabited by the Igbo people, has a population of over 30 million, with some estimates suggesting it’s closer to 40 million. In the 2023 presidential election, Labor Party’s Peter Obi won the South-East with a landslide, securing 1,960,569 votes (89.6%), while Tinubu trailed behind with 127,605 votes (5.8%).
The region is reeling from economic hardship, insecurity, and perceived marginalization. Many feel Tinubu’s government has failed to deliver on promises, and his policies have deepened divisions. “Tinubu’s regime is one of the most challenging economic periods in Nigeria’s history,” Ezeobika added.
APC chieftains in Abia South senatorial district are mobilizing support for Tinubu, but others warn the party risks losing in 2027 if it doesn’t address the people’s concerns. “The APC has failed Nigerians in the same way the PDP failed before the 2015 elections,” said Chief Asukewe Ikoawaji, former Deputy National Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party.
Some Igbo traditional rulers have pledged support for Tinubu, promising at least 70% of the region’s votes. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an apex Igbo socio-cultural group, has also endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid, citing his commitment to the South-East’s development.
However, Peter Obi’s popularity in the region could pose a challenge to Tinubu’s re-election bid. The Labor Party has indicated it will field Obi as its candidate in 2027, and his progressive policies and perceived connection with the youth could sway voters.
The stage is set for a contentious 2027 election, with the South-East’s votes crucial to determining Nigeria’s next president.
