•Sowunmi urges Obi’s return to PDP, says party owes Igbo ticket
•PDP stakeholders in Abuja endorse Olawepo-Hashim, reject zoning
•Makinde tipped as ideal PDP presidential candidate for 2027
•APC opens door to challengers despite Tinubu endorsement
Igbo political strategy has shown signs of division ahead of the 2027 general elections. Leaders of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD) declared that Ndigbo will no longer offer bloc support to any presidential candidate or political party in 2027 without a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that clearly outlines commitments to Igbo political and economic interests.
In contrast, however, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sly Ezeokenwa, said the party will not field a presidential candidate in 2027, in line with its tradition and as a demonstration of its total support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Although officially registered as a national political party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), APGA’s political influence is most concentrated and visible in Anambra State, which is predominantly Igbo.
The IAD resolution was reached at the inaugural meeting of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue, convened by Chief Dr Chekwas Okorie in Abuja yesterday.
Also in attendance were Prof Vitalis Ajumbe, former Imo State Commissioner for Information and Tourism; Mr Ikechukwu Eze, spokesman to former President Goodluck Jonathan; as well as carefully selected leaders of political parties, professional associations, town unions, and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the meeting, Okorie stated that the era of taking Igbo votes for granted was over, insisting that any candidate seeking Igbo support must negotiate openly and sign a binding agreement.
“To avoid taking Igbo votes for granted, we shall insist on an acceptable Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for whoever we shall support for the presidential election in Nigeria and make sure the details are published on verified platforms,” he said.
The leaders also resolved to convene a comprehensive Igbo Political Summit in Enugu on a date to be agreed, where an Igbo Charter—a long-term political agenda—will be adopted. The Charter will be drafted by a select committee of respected Igbo leaders, technocrats, and intellectuals.
Okorie explained that the summit would be inclusive, bringing together Igbo stakeholders from across the South East, Igbo-speaking communities in Delta, Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Benue and Kogi States, as well as the diaspora, youth, women, and professional bodies.
“We expect that such a comprehensive and all-inclusive gathering of Igbo leaders and groups will in one accord adopt the Igbo Charter, a document of such quality and depth that will stand the test of time,” he stated.
HOWEVER, Sly Ezeokenwa, National Chairman of APGA, announced that the party would not present a presidential candidate in 2027, maintaining its tradition and reaffirming full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Ezeokenwa also dismissed speculations by some opposition politicians that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s courtesy visit to the President was a move to lobby for reciprocal support ahead of the November 8 gubernatorial election in Anambra State.
Ezeokenwa, who addressed journalists yesterday at a press conference in Abuja, expressed regret that members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State used the recent by-election in the state to foment trouble and spread false narratives about the Soludo administration.
He said: “Let me begin by stating that this press conference has been necessitated by the persistent falsehoods, deliberate misinformation and baseless allegations being circulated in the media by the supporters and cronies of the APC senatorial candidate for the recently conducted Anambra South Senatorial by-election, Mr Azuka Okwuosa.
“This of course includes Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu, the APC governorship candidate for the November 8, 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election, who, despite the infamous role he played in attempting to subvert the will of the people at the said election, as well as several electoral infractions he committed, has volunteered himself as the chief purveyor of falsehood, all in a bid to discredit the excellent work of INEC officials and security agencies in ensuring the credibility of the said by-election.”
The APGA chairman explained that ordinarily, the party would have ignored such claims but considered it necessary to respond to set the record straight.
“This press conference is aimed solely to provide a factual counter-narrative and ensure that the truth is documented for posterity,” he said, stressing that the August 16 by-election was a watershed in the quest for transparent and credible elections in the country.
“The successful conduct of the by-election has yet again marked the Independent National Electoral Commission as an important pillar of our democracy and further demonstrated the institution’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and the will of the Nigerian people,” he added.
On the relationship between Governor Soludo and President Tinubu, Ezeokenwa said that both leaders have always shown admiration for each other, adding that the President himself had often referenced his long-standing friendship with Soludo. He insisted that APGA’s decision to back Tinubu’s re-election did not stem from a quid pro quo arrangement but from party tradition and mutual understanding.
While noting he was not privy to discussions during Soludo’s recent visit to the President, he said the Anambra governor had consistently called on progressives to align and work together.
According to him, Soludo’s support for Tinubu is also rooted in his admiration for the courage the President has shown in implementing economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy from his first day in office. His words: “And so, these and many more issues are, for me, what I may consider pivotal in discussing the relationship between our party and Mr President’s party.
“And this call, for me, is ideologically based, that we cannot continue to have the proliferation of political parties professing similar ideologies, when these political parties can actually come together in some sort of either strong partnership or loose coalition, especially when the ultimate goal is to advance progressive ideals or progressivism, which we profess.
“APGA as a political party is the foremost progressive party in Nigeria. From 1999 to date, under the present dispensation, we were the first to be registered with the word progressive. And, of course, before you started having the All Progressives Congress, the Young Progressive Party, and all manner of progressives.
“Mr Governor (Soludo) believes that the mainstay of every political party must be the ideologies that that particular political party professes. And if you look at the manifestos of most of these political parties, you will see that they are virtually the same. Either you are left of the centre or right of the centre. It’s that simple.”
Sowunmi urges Obi’s return to PDP, says party owes Igbo ticket
MEANWHILE, Segun Sowunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that Peter Obi seeks a presidential ticket without undergoing the rigours of a primary election.
He made the remark yesterday during an interview on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM. Sowunmi said the PDP owes the Igbo a debt, recalling how he had advised Obi to return to the party. His comment followed the decision of the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
“Peter is someone who doesn’t listen,” Sowunmi said. “I told him more than three, four months ago that the time is now to return because the PDP owes the South-East a debt.
“The PDP owes the South-East a debt based on the fact that they have given every other tribe the ticket except the Igbo, and you have demonstrated capacity.
“The only thing there is that Peter thinks he’s too clever, he never wants to do primaries, and anybody who doesn’t want to do primaries is looking for somebody to cheat on his behalf.
“Primaries are the internal democracy of parties; it’s only when you cross the hurdles of primaries that you can now be looking at the general election.
“But unfortunately, when they gave him a platform to manage like Labour, he could not manage it.
“Nigeria cannot be waiting for Peter. If Peter can’t be president as an Igbo person, one day we will find an Igbo person.” On April 21, Sowunmi had asked Obi to return to the PDP ahead of the 2027 presidential contest, arguing that he needed a bigger platform going forward. Obi, who left the PDP in June 2022, was handed the Labour Party (LP) presidential ticket for the 2023 election unopposed.
PDP stakeholders in Abuja endorse Olawepo-Hashim, reject zoning
MEMBERS of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have declared their unflinching support for the presidential aspiration of Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At a stakeholders’ meeting attended by about 170 critical members of the party from various area councils (including local government and ward chairmen, council chairmanship flag bearers, councillorship candidates, executive chairmen, secretaries of area councils, and other stakeholders) the FCT PDP faithful openly rejected the decision of the party’s National Executive Committee to zone the presidential ticket to the South.
They insisted that the decision was unacceptable and vowed to resist any attempt to stop their preferred candidate from the North-Central region.
Amid chants of “PDP! Power to the people!” speakers at the gathering maintained that it was time for the North-Central to produce Nigeria’s president, stressing that the region could no longer continue to play a subordinate role in national politics.
Party chieftain, Soko Dobo, said the North-Central was solidly behind Olawepo-Hashim and that efforts were ongoing to rally delegates across the country in his favour. “The National Chairman himself said zoning does not mean others cannot contest. We in the North-Central are fully behind Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim,” he said.
Another stalwart, Dr Ezekiel, said Olawepo-Hashim fully understands the challenges facing FCT residents. He lamented the political marginalisation of the territory, noting that with a population of over five million across 800 communities, the FCT still lacks state status and has only one senator and two members in the House of Representatives.
In his remarks, Dr Olawepo-Hashim thanked party leaders and supporters for endorsing his aspiration, assuring them that he would not let them down. He urged them not to be discouraged by the NEC’s zoning decision, recalling that in 1999 the PDP still allowed aspirants outside the favoured zone to contest.
“I have no intention of backing down. No party can close its doors to any Nigerian’s aspiration. The North-Central has never produced a President or Vice President, and it will be unfair to deny us the chance now,” he said.
Stakeholders in attendance also formally adopted Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the political leader of the FCT. In a motion moved by the State Chairman, Ismail Dogara, and seconded by the Executive Chairman of Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, the adoption was carried amid singing by party youths and women, who pledged, “Where you go, we go.”
The National Vice Chairman, North-Central Zone, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara, thanked Olawepo-Hashim for his consistent support for the region, stressing that it would “galvanise the party for greater victories in the zone by the grace of God.”
In his further remarks, Olawepo-Hashim urged all stakeholders to work diligently to secure victory in the 2026 area council elections.
Makinde tipped as ideal PDP presidential candidate for 2027
GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has been described as a perfect presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party in 2027.
A party chieftain, Femi Babalola, stated this while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Babalola said Makinde has all it takes to correct the noticeable wrongs in the country, judging by his achievements across all sectors as governor of Oyo State. He argued that the All Progressives Congress government at the national level has failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
“The APC is known for failed and empty promises, a testament to prevailing hunger in all the states of the federation,” he said. He added that what the country needs at this critical moment is a candidate with fresh ideas, stressing that Makinde, of all the aspirants for the nation’s top job, has the capacity to lead. According to him, Governor Makinde could compete with other top contenders such as Peter Obi and emerge as the PDP flagbearer in the 2027 general elections.
Babalola noted that by 2027, Makinde would have had eight years of experience as governor, which he said would be an advantage in a head-to-head contest with other strong candidates.
“Governor Makinde has performed creditably well, though there may be some deficiencies; nobody in the world can score 100 per cent in governance. I think he has done well compared to past governors,” he said.
On his own political future, Babalola said: “I’m watching the candidates that are coming out to show interest in contesting for governor in Oyo State. If I’m not satisfied as a person with the calibre of the candidates, I might be forced to contest in 2027. Although it is not on my front burner, I think the state deserves a governor who has deep knowledge of the state, following Governor Makinde’s tenure.
“I will not support candidates who are taking advantage of the system; I will rather support candidates who are beneficial and fair to the party. There are members of the party who have suffered with the party.
“Oyo State has been a PDP state since 2003; there has never been a time when the state has been ruled by a party without connivance from PDP members.”
On the PDP’s decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, the PDP chieftain said: “If the party felt that the game was to present a southern candidate, it’s good for us. I’m in full support of it. Let it be South versus South, we have the strength in the North.”
APC opens door to challengers despite Tinubu endorsement
THE ruling All Progressives Congress has said that, despite the overwhelming endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, party stalwarts interested in contesting for the presidential ticket will be allowed to compete in the primaries.
APC’s National Organising Secretary, Mr Sulaiman Mohammad Argungu, stated this yesterday during an interactive session with journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Argungu reiterated that the party’s National Working Committee, the Hope Uzodimma-led Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), and the Senate President Godswill Akpabio-led National Assembly leadership had endorsed President Tinubu for re-election due to what he described as his sterling performance in office.
He, however, stressed that as a party committed to democratic ideals, the APC would not deny any member the opportunity to challenge the President at the primaries.
“We will definitely not close our doors. When the time comes, our timetable will be made known. Anybody who aspires to the presidency under the APC will not be denied the opportunity to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms to exercise their franchise.
“We never said we have locked the door. We are only telling people that we appreciate what the President is doing for the people of the country and that he deserves a second term in office when we roundly endorsed him recently,” he said.
The Sokoto-born politician was responding to a question on whether the APC would emulate the Peoples Democratic Party, which in 2014 printed a single form for then President Goodluck Jonathan, reserving the ticket for him as the sole aspirant.
At that time, an attempt by the son of Nigeria’s late Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr Abdul Jelil, to purchase forms and challenge the PDP’s decision was frustrated when the party shut him out.
Argungu also highlighted the APC’s performance in the recently held by-elections, where the party won 13 of the 16 contested seats, describing it as proof of the confidence Nigerians still repose in the party.
According to him, “These victories are not just statistics; they are a reaffirmation of the trust Nigerians continue to place in the APC. They demonstrate the strength, resilience, and growing acceptance of our party nationwide. They reflect the belief of the Nigerian people in our capacity to deliver purposeful leadership and good governance.”
He further disclosed that the APC would soon hold an interactive session in Abuja with all elected senators, members of the House of Representatives, and state assembly members.
Expressing gratitude to President Tinubu, the PGF, and the party leadership, he added: “We reaffirm our full commitment to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. We assure Nigerians that both the President and the APC remain dedicated to their welfare, security, and prosperity. We will continue to deliver dividends of democracy and uphold the trust placed in us by the people.”
