According to a report by Vanguard, on Friday, September 11, 2026, the Igbo Heroes and Icons Foundation warned political parties, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress, against expecting massive electoral support from the South-East in 2027.

The group’s National Coordinator, Hon. Chinedu Nsofor, made this known in a statement responding to First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s recent appeal to South-East voters during her visit to Imo State, where she urged them to back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Nsofor argued that the timing was ripe for Nigerians to rally behind an Igbo president, describing Peter Obi as a capable leader who could tackle the nation’s economic and security troubles.

He was quick to clarify that no single person could claim to represent the views of the entire Igbo race.

Still, he maintained that a strong political feeling runs across the South-East that the zone deserves a genuine shot at producing Nigeria’s next president, with Obi standing as the clearest symbol of that desire.

The foundation cautioned the APC against viewing the South-East as a region whose loyalty can be bought through empowerment schemes, appointments or cash handouts.

While acknowledging that residents value government projects brought to the area, the group insisted that development remains a government obligation rather than a gift to be traded for votes.

It pointed out that the South-East has contributed immensely to national growth and produced notable figures across several fields, yet has never produced an elected president since 1999.

The group clarified that its stance was not that an Igbo candidate is owed the presidency automatically, but rather that the region deserves to stop being sidelined from presidential contests.

It maintained that qualities like competence, discipline, prudent management and proven performance should guide the choice of Nigeria’s next leader.

According to the group, many young Nigerians nationwide have gravitated toward Obi’s movement over frustrations with accountability, joblessness, insecurity and the rising cost of governance.

Addressing the First Lady directly, the foundation expressed appreciation for her visit and the warm reception she received in the South-East.

“But respectfully, please do not waste your time trying to persuade Ndigbo to abandon the aspiration for an Igbo presidency,” the statement read, adding that the people had already made up their minds.

Related video