Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, has warned President Bola Tinubu that worsening poverty, hunger, and insecurity across Nigeria could threaten his chances in the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the group said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is “precariously positioned” ahead of the next polls, adding that a silent revolt is building among the electorate due to growing hardship and unmet promises.
“Nigerians are enduring overwhelming suffering. If their grievances remain unaddressed, a revolt against your administration through the ballot box is not merely a possibility; it is an impending reality,” the statement read.
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, deputy president-general of Ohanaeze, who signed the statement, said the federal government must urgently confront the realities of extreme poverty and economic dislocation, which have reached “intolerable levels.”
He accused governors of misleading the president with false assurances about their ability to deliver electoral victories, warning that some northern governors may betray Tinubu at the polls.
His words: “You are being led into a fool’s paradise. Some of the more astute northern governors may engage in duplicitous tactics that could undermine your political future.”
The group also expressed concern that the removal of fuel subsidies and the increased allocations to states have not translated into meaningful relief for citizens, blaming governors for allegedly sabotaging local government autonomy and other federal initiatives.
It urged Tinubu to “distance himself from governors who contribute to the country’s economic woes” and instead engage directly with the suffering masses.
Ohanaeze also called for a reduction in electricity tariffs, a reshuffle of the president’s economic advisory team, cuts to government waste, and a stronger focus on agriculture and infrastructure investment.
Drawing comparisons to Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the group praised African leaders who prioritize food security and grassroots development, saying Nigeria must chart a similar course.
“The current status quo is unsustainable. Without urgent and effective measures to address these pressing issues, the potential for significant political upheaval will loom large,” the statement concluded.
