The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has stated that the political alliance between President Bola Tinubu and Northern leaders, which played a significant role in the 2023 elections, is no longer intact. The group noted that despite Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen ties through key appointments and infrastructural promises, the North has shifted its focus towards aligning with political leaders from the Southeast and Niger Delta.
In a statement released by Mazi Okechukwu Isigozoro, the factional Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze, the group made it clear that unless the federal government takes urgent corrective measures, the growing discontent among Nigerians could lead to widespread support for opposition groups.
Ohanaeze noted that Northern political figures are already mobilizing efforts to challenge Tinubu’s leadership in the 2027 elections. The statement urged the President to take immediate steps to address the concerns of the Igbo people and other marginalized groups in the country.
According to the statement, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges the Federal Government to undertake a paradigmatic shift in its approach. It is essential to demystify the perceived numerical dominance of the North through a credible National Census in 2025.”
The group further stated that the upcoming census must include ethnicity and religious identity to reveal the true demographic composition of Nigeria. Ohanaeze claimed that past censuses had failed to accurately represent the population structure, suggesting that Igbo communities make up a significant portion of the North’s population.
Additionally, Ohanaeze called for urgent policy actions that would benefit the Southeast. These include the creation of a sixth state in the region, the revitalization of the Eastern Economic Corridor, and the reopening of the Calabar Seaport, which has remained inactive for 57 years. The group also stressed the need for the full utilization of the Port Harcourt Seaport and the construction of a deep seaport in Azumiri, Abia State.
The statement also emphasized the importance of upgrading the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu-Maiduguri railway to a modern standard gauge. Ohanaeze believes that these infrastructural developments would strengthen economic growth and improve regional balance.
Another major demand in the statement was the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The group argued that his release would help rebuild trust between the Southeast and the federal government.
Furthermore, Ohanaeze urged the Tinubu administration to engage with non-violent Biafra agitators to address rising insecurity in the Southeast. The group noted that peaceful dialogue remains the best way to ensure stability and foster national unity.
