2027: Group urges opposition committee to adopt Obi as consensus candidate

From **Stanley Uzoaru, **Owerri

The Igbo Heroes and Icons Foundation (IHIF) has called on the opposition parties’ committee to unanimously adopt the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as the consensus candidate for the 2027 general election.

In a statement issued yesterday, IHIF National Coordinator, Chinedu Nsofor, said the group and other South East organisations had already endorsed Obi. He said the endorsement is based on competence, integrity, proven leadership, and the principle of equity.

The Foundation pointed to Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State as evidence of prudent management.

“The record speaks for itself. Peter Obi left office with no debt burden on the state, cleared outstanding obligations, paid salaries, pensions, gratuities, contractors, and other liabilities, and still handed over substantial savings to his successor,” the statement said. “At a time many states depended on federal intervention and bailout funds to survive, Anambra State under Peter Obi remained fiscally stable and financially responsible.”

IHIF said those qualities are needed now as Nigeria faces economic and security challenges. The group contrasted Obi’s record with what it described as the borrowing and financial management under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“President Bola Tinubu’s administration has presided over an unprecedented increase in Nigeria’s debt profile. Within less than three years, the nation’s debt burden has reportedly risen by over N100 trillion, pushing total public debt close to N200 trillion,” IHIF stated.

“Yet millions of Nigerians continue to ask a simple question: What tangible development can be directly linked to these borrowings?”

The Foundation added that capital expenditure and infrastructure have not matched the scale of borrowing, and that there is an “absence of transparency and accountability” in the deployment of funds.

IHIF argued that the South East remains the only major geopolitical zone yet to produce an elected president since 1999, describing it as an imbalance that should be corrected for national unity. “For decades, the Igbo people have supported presidential candidates from other regions in the spirit of national cohesion.

We believe the time has come for other regions to reciprocate that gesture by supporting a credible South East candidate. That candidate is Peter Obi,” the group said.

The Foundation also cited Obi’s background as a businessman, saying it strengthens confidence in his ability to shift Nigeria from a consumption-based to a production-based economy through agriculture, industry, and value creation.

IHIF described its endorsement as “not merely an Igbo agenda; it is a Nigerian agenda” and urged political parties, stakeholders, and Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines to rally behind Obi.

“We firmly believe he is the leader best positioned to rescue Nigeria from its present economic difficulties and prevent the country from sliding further into debt, poverty, and institutional decline,” the statement added.

In its concluding remarks, the group said: “We, therefore, call on President Tinubu to step down for Peter Obi to allow leadership driven by merit, competence, character, and capacity.”

“A new and productive Nigeria is possible, and Nigeria will be OK,” IHIF said, urging voters in 2027 to choose leaders based on performance and vision rather than sectional considerations.

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