Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has said that without comprehensive electoral reforms, the much-expected Igbo presidency would be impossible.
Ohanaeze said it is compelled by its unwavering commitment to the well-being and future of Ndigbo to address the prevailing political landscape and its potential ramifications for the people, particularly in the context of the forthcoming 2027 polls.
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Ohanaeze’s factional Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki.
According to the statement, “The prevailing realities, unfortunately, necessitate an honest and unflinching assessment.
“Our considered observation reveals that the current vulnerabilities within the electoral system, coupled with the existing political dynamics, present a significant impediment to any opposition candidate challenging the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections, unless comprehensive electoral reforms are implemented.”
Part of the statement read: “It is with deep regret that we must acknowledge the uncomfortable truth: the integrity of the electoral process is demonstrably weakened. The systemic loopholes and potential for manipulation within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot be ignored.
“These weaknesses, if left unaddressed, create an environment ripe for exploitation by those seeking to maintain power, thereby jeopardizing the prospects of a fair and credible election.
“The implications of INEC’s proposed reliance on manual processing and the potential abandonment of the electronically transmitted results, as a substitute for electronic transmission of votes to the INEC portal, further amplify these concerns.
“Such a shift would disproportionately favour those with the means and motive to manipulate the process, ultimately disenfranchising a significant portion of the electorate and discouraging meaningful participation.
“Against this backdrop, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, acting in the best interests of Ndigbo, feels obliged to issue this poignant advisory: any Igbo individual considering a presidential bid in 2027 must, therefore, recognize the inherent limitations of the current environment.
“Engaging in a contest under these conditions, without significant electoral reforms, may prove a costly and ultimately futile endeavor.
“Such an undertaking could not only squander valuable resources but also risk undermining the political fortunes of the entire Southeast geopolitical zone.
“Consequently, Ohanaeze implores prospective Igbo presidential candidates to re-evaluate their aspirations, prioritising the urgent needs of our region, including the pressing challenges of insecurity and economic revitalization.”
Ohanaeze noted that while it acknowledged the constitutional rights of all citizens to pursue their political ambitions, it is equally committed to delivering the unvarnished truth, no matter the personal cost.
