2027: Northern Igbo group endorses Tinubu for re-election

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The Political Movement of Igbo Delegates Assembly in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election, pledging to mobilise two million votes for the All Progressives Congress.

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The group also declared its support for APC candidates contesting governorship and legislative positions across the Northern states and the FCT.

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The Director-General of the Igbo Political Movement under the Igbo Delegates Assembly, Chief John Amaechi Onwe, disclosed this on Saturday at a press conference in Kaduna.

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The declaration is coming despite the candidacy of former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, who is of Igbo extraction.

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Asked about the group’s position on Obi, Onwe said the movement had chosen to support Tinubu, stressing that its decision was not based on ethnic considerations.

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“We in the North are for Tinubu and nothing more,” he stated.

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Onwe said the endorsement followed consultations with traders, industrialists, youths, women and community leaders across the 19 Northern states and the FCT.

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He said the group had reviewed the Tinubu administration’s performance in the last three years before arriving at its decision.

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“We, the Igbo Political Movement 19 Northern States and FCT, who believe in unity, enterprise and progress, are throwing our full weight behind the re-election of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in 2027. We believe we can achieve this because we have at least two million eligible voters across the 19 Northern states and FCT,” Onwe declared.

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The group, which adopted the theme, “Continuity, Prosperity and Inclusion,” said the economic reforms of the Tinubu administration needed more time to mature.

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Onwe specifically cited the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market, describing them as difficult but necessary decisions.

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He said, “Though painful at first, these reforms have stopped leakages, increased government revenue and restored investor confidence. For the first time in years, we are seeing a more transparent and market-driven economy.”

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The group also commended the administration’s infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway and access roads to the Second Niger Bridge.

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According to Onwe, the projects are critical to Igbo businesses because improved transportation infrastructure will facilitate the movement of goods and boost commercial activities.

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He said the administration’s support for micro, small and medium enterprises had also benefited Igbo traders operating in major Northern commercial centres. “Thousands of Igbo traders in Northern Nigeria have accessed funding without godfatherism,” Onwe claimed.

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He further praised the Federal Government’s student loan and consumer credit initiatives, as well as its policies on manufacturing, gas development and ease of doing business.

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Onwe also commended the increase in the monthly allowance of National Youth Service Corps members from N33,000 to N77,000, describing it as an indication that the government valued Nigerian youths. “For us in the North, where thousands of our sons and daughters serve in every state, this welfare improvement means dignity, motivation and hope,” he said.

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The movement subsequently pledged to mobilise its structures across the 19 Northern states and the FCT for the APC during the 2027 elections.

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It also promised to educate its members at the grassroots on the policies of the Tinubu administration and urged Nigerians to reject ethnic bigotry, division and politics of bitterness. Onwe said, “We believe Nigeria needs continuity, not disruption.”

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He added, “President Tinubu, the Igbo nation in 19 Northern states in Nigeria and FCT is with you. Finish the job you have started.”

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The group also pledged to support APC candidates for governorship and legislative positions across the Northern states and the FCT.

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