A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Nze Stephen Maduike, has called on Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to abandon his ambition for the 2027 presidency. Maduike urged Obi to prioritize the collective interests of the Southeast region over personal political aspirations.
APC Chieftain's Plea in Awka
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Maduike emphasized political realism, the need for development-oriented mainstream politics, and concerns about continued marginalization of the Southeast. He argued that the region should align with the ruling party to secure future benefits.
Obi's Popularity and Regional Politics
Maduike acknowledged Obi's popularity and capabilities, stating: "Peter Obi is popular - about one of the best brains and capable hands Anambra and Nigeria can boast of today. He belongs to Nigeria's first eleven when it comes to developmental politics. If the presidential slot is for the Southeast specifically, I would support him." However, he noted that the South West currently holds the presidency and should be allowed to complete eight years, with the North expected to take over in 2031 before the Southeast gets its turn.
He warned that the Southeast has suffered significant neglect under both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations due to the region's failure to align with the central government. This neglect spans ministerial appointments, infrastructure allocation, kitchen cabinet positions, recruitments, promotions, and security chief appointments.
Call for Support for Tinubu
Maduike urged Obi and other Southeast leaders to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term, arguing that the region cannot produce a president alone in 2027. "I'm urging that our man, Peter Obi, should drop his ambition now, so that the Southeast will be able to move away from opposition politics and align with the ruling party to secure the presidency in the future, because an Igbo presidency cannot emerge from isolation," he said.
He cautioned that another electoral loss by Obi could worsen the region's marginalization, similar to experiences in 2019 and 2023. "Proximity to the presidency is more valuable than challenging it," Maduike added.
Obi's Influence and Future Steps
While admitting that Obi won over 90% of Southeast votes in 2023, Maduike contended that Obi's influence has since declined. He argued that Obi's popularity is insufficient to overcome the structural, financial, and political machinery of the ruling party, and that Obi should avoid being misled by his followers. Instead of running for president now and shortchanging the Southeast, Obi should utilize his political capital to negotiate top-tier positions.
Related Political Developments
In a related development, political projections surrounding Peter Obi's movement ahead of the 2027 elections have begun to materialize following his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) alongside Rabiu Kwankwaso. This shift aligns with earlier claims by political figures such as Daniel Bwala and former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, who had suggested that Obi's political alignment and coalition movements would continue to change ahead of the next general election.
