“Igbo Candidates Welcome: Ohanaeze Rejects Rumor That It Warned Obi Off 2027 Race”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Dismisses Claims of Barring Igbos from 2027 Presidential Contest

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, has refuted claims suggesting that the organisation has resolved to prevent Igbo politicians from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

According to IReporter Online, the rebuttal came in response to a statement attributed to Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who alleged that no Igbo candidate would challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next election. However, Ohanaeze has clarified that Isiguzoro is not an elected official of the body and lacks the mandate to speak on its behalf.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Senator Mbata described the report as false and misleading, urging the general public to disregard it. He emphasized that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has not, at any point, made such a resolution.

“Any Igbo person who belongs to a political party and wants to contest any election whatsoever in 2027 is free to do so,” he stated.

According to IReporter Online, Mbata reiterated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is purely a socio-cultural organisation, not a political entity. As such, it has no authority to dictate who should or should not run for political office.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is a socio-cultural organisation of Ndigbo and not a political party, and is not in a position to say, dictate, or even advise on who should or shouldn’t contest elections in Nigeria in 2027 or at any other time,” he explained.

According to IReporter Online, Mbata encouraged all Igbos to continue to participate actively in their respective political platforms and exercise their constitutional rights without fear or external influence.

“Ndigbo are advised to continue their lawful political activities in the various political parties of their choice,” he concluded.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”