The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has refuted a press statement suggesting that the region should withdraw from contesting the nation’s 2027 presidency till 2035.
Ohanaeze condemned the report and reaffirmed that any Igbo individual is free to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The organization’s President General, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, in a statement he issued, stressed that Ohanaeze is not a political party and has no authority to determine who should or should not run for political office.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo has stated emphatically that any Igbo person can contest in the 2027 presidential election,”he declared.
Azuta Mbata further emphasized that any publication suggesting Ohanaeze has taken a position against an Igbo candidate running for president is false and should be ignored.
“Any publications to the contrary are fake news, did not originate from Ohanaeze Ndigbo and should be discountenanced by the entirety of Ndigbo,” he added.
The President General, in the press statement, reiterated that Ohanaeze is solely a socio-cultural body, not aligned with any political platform, stressing that any Igbo person who belongs to a political party and wants to contest any elections whatsoever in 2027 is free to do so.
He encouraged Igbo politicians to continue participating in democratic processes through their respective parties.
“Ndigbo are advised to continue their lawful political activities in the various political parties of their choice and membership,”he further declared.
