Ohanaeze Progressive Council Condemns Youth Wing's Attack on Ex-Governors Backing Tinubu
The Ohanaeze Progressive Council (OPC) has issued a strong condemnation of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) for its recent declaration that former Southeast governors are "persona non grata" in Igboland. This declaration came after the former governors publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu's bid for a second term in the 2027 general election.
Youth Council's Controversial Statement
The controversy erupted when the Ohanaeze Youth Council rejected the endorsement made by the South East Former Governors Forum, which was formally inaugurated in Enugu on April 7, 2026. The forum, led by David Umahi, current Minister of Works and former governor of Ebonyi state, had endorsed President Tinubu for re-election, citing his "inclusive appointments" and "infrastructural revolution" in the southeast region.
In response to this endorsement, the OYC took the extraordinary step of declaring these respected former leaders unwelcome in their own homeland, a move that has sparked significant backlash from other Igbo organizations and leaders.
OPC President's Strong Rebuttal
Comrade Ugo Benjamin, the national president of the Ohanaeze Progressive Council, described the youth council's action as "reckless, arrogant, ill-advised, and disrespectful." In a statement made available to journalists, Benjamin emphasized the importance of respecting elders in Igbo culture, stating: "This is not how Igbo people behave. In Igboland, respect for elders, leaders, and statesmen is not optional; it is sacred."
Benjamin went further to defend the former governors, calling them "accomplished sons of the soil who have served our people with distinction" and "visionary statesmen who have consistently placed the interest of Ndigbo above personal ambition."
Strategic Endorsement or Betrayal?
The OPC president explained that the former governors' decision to endorse President Tinubu represents "strategic patriotism of the highest order" rather than betrayal. He argued that these experienced leaders understand that addressing regional marginalization requires engagement and strategic alliances rather than confrontation.
"Their decision to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term is not betrayal, it is strategic patriotism of the highest order," Benjamin stated. "It is a bold move to secure the future of our region through engagement, development, and inclusion rather than the childish confrontation and isolation peddled by the OYC."
Praise for Tinubu's Administration
Comrade Benjamin also praised President Tinubu's administration, describing him as "a man of action, a unifier, and a visionary whose Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering real dividends across Nigeria." He highlighted that the former governors recognize what many "short-sighted youths cannot see: that the path to addressing marginalisation is not through endless protest and isolation, but through strategic alliance with a President who respects competence and rewards loyalty."
Warning Against Further Disrespect
The OPC leader issued a stern warning that any further attempts to ostracize or disrespect these former governors would be resisted by "the majority of progressive Igbo youths and elders who value unity, respect, and progress over empty noise-making." This statement underscores the growing division within Igbo political circles regarding the best approach to national politics and regional development.
ADC Chieftain's Dissenting View
In a related development, Amb. Lotanna Ikebunwa, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and House of Representatives aspirant for Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ekwusigo federal constituency, has dismissed the endorsement as representing only the former governors' personal views. According to Ikebunwa, these former leaders are acting on their own and not on behalf of the people of the southeast region.
This dissenting opinion highlights the complex political landscape in the southeast as different factions position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. The controversy reveals deep divisions within Igbo political leadership regarding engagement with the federal government and support for President Tinubu's administration.
