Ohanaeze Ndigbo to President Tinubu: Fix Nigeria’s Economic Woes or Kiss Second Term Goodbye in 2027

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been handed a stern warning by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, over the worsening economic situation in Nigeria. The group cautioned that any failure to respond meaningfully to the crippling hardship faced by Nigerians could cost him his 2027 re-election bid.

Voicing the group’s position, the National Deputy President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, issued a detailed statement from Abakaliki on Thursday. He noted that the Nigerian populace is experiencing unprecedented suffering marked by food insecurity, extreme poverty, and growing fear for personal safety. According to him, Nigerians are now politically alert and unlikely to be swayed by the promises that defined previous elections.

Ohanaeze expressed deep concern that many of the pressing issues facing the country remain either unacknowledged or mishandled by the current administration. Isiguzoro explained that the Tinubu-led government must move beyond rhetoric and face the dire realities affecting ordinary citizens.

He emphasized that the trust deficit between the government and the people is widening, driven by skyrocketing food prices, overwhelming living costs, and insecurity in both urban and rural areas. Nigerians, he warned, are prepared to hold the administration accountable using the ballot box in 2027 if no meaningful changes are made.

At the heart of Ohanaeze’s statement is a blunt message: economic suffering is eroding political goodwill. Isiguzoro argued that the credibility of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is hanging by a thread, as many Nigerians feel abandoned by those in power. He said the party is walking a dangerous path toward political extinction if it fails to show empathy and take decisive steps to improve lives.

Drawing attention to the internal dynamics of Nigeria’s political landscape, the statement raised doubts about the loyalty of some governors, especially those from the northern region. According to Ohanaeze, several northern governors may be covertly distancing themselves from Tinubu’s agenda and could align with grassroots opposition during the next election cycle.

The southern political bloc, on the other hand, is also not immune from fracture. Ohanaeze highlighted the lack of cohesion among southern governors, noting that many are preoccupied with their political survival and may be unwilling to throw their full weight behind Tinubu in 2027.

Isiguzoro warned that the illusion of guaranteed support from these political figures could mislead the President into believing he has the backing needed for re-election. He said this belief is not only unfounded but dangerous, as it ignores the simmering discontent among Nigerians across all regions.

He called for a total overhaul of the government’s approach to economic management. Urgent recommendations from the group included cutting wasteful spending, reassessing the quality and capacity of Tinubu’s economic advisers, slashing electricity tariffs, and investing heavily in agriculture and infrastructure.

The group urged the President to draw lessons from leaders like Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, whose emphasis on agricultural empowerment and local production has helped stabilize his country’s food security. Isiguzoro noted that Nigeria’s vast land and population offer similar potential, if only the government prioritizes long-term, sustainable investment in local farming.

Furthermore, the statement lamented the widening gap between government policies and the daily struggles of Nigerians. Healthcare and housing remain inaccessible to millions, and electricity bills continue to surge despite irregular supply. These realities, according to Ohanaeze, have made survival a full-time task for many families.

Calling for swift action, the group stressed that the window for change is still open but rapidly closing. With two years left before the next presidential election, Tinubu must rise to the challenge or risk losing the support of those who once believed in his leadership.

Ohanaeze concluded by stating that the current conditions are no longer tolerable. The people are restless, and without immediate intervention to improve their lives, the administration will face severe consequences at the polls. The group warned that Nigerians will no longer accept promises without results and are prepared to use their votes to demand change.