ABUJA, NIGERIA – Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, has dismissed the 2027 presidential aspirations of Peter Obi, asserting that the current political climate in Nigeria is fundamentally stacked against an Igbo presidency.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the lawmaker representing Ebonyi North declared that the South-East region has moved beyond the opposition sentiments of the last election cycle and is now firmly aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Political Permutations” Against the Region
Nwebonyi argued that while Peter Obi remains a significant political figure, his timing for a renewed bid is flawed. “Even if our son comes to contest, it is very clear that the political permutation, as at present, does not favour an Igbo man,” he stated, adding that the South-East has already “taken its position” for the upcoming general election.
The Senator’s comments come amid a major shift in the opposition landscape, following reports of Peter Obi’s shifting political alliances. Critics have echoed Nwebonyi’s sentiments, suggesting that the current fragmentation within opposition ranks has further complicated the region’s quest for the presidency.
The APC’s Growing Confidence
Nwebonyi expressed absolute confidence that President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates will dominate the South-East in 2027. He cited the administration’s focus on critical infrastructure and regional development as the primary reasons for what he describes as a shifting loyalty among the electorate.
The Senator’s forecast matches a broader trend of APC consolidation in the zone. Pro-government groups have begun aggressive grassroots campaigns, claiming that opposition parties in the region are currently too weakened by internal crises to mount a serious challenge. Nwebonyi has previously argued that a more “strategic” voting pattern in 2027 would better serve the region’s interests in the national government.
A Contested Outlook
While Nwebonyi and other pro-government figures maintain that the South-East is moving toward the APC, the sentiment is not universal. Some local analysts argue that economic hardship and unresolved security concerns will make a total sweep difficult. They suggest that the “Obidient” movement still maintains a significant, if quiet, presence that could surprise the establishment.
As political activities intensify, the verbal warfare between the APC establishment and the pro-Obi movement is expected to become the central theme of the 2027 campaign across the South-East.
