A prominent youth organization, Omenuko Ndigbo United, has issued a strong warning to Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, over what they describe as his “political aloofness” in current efforts to unify the opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
In a statement released on Thursday, the group’s president, Benjamin Madu, expressed deep concern over Obi’s apparent reluctance to fully engage in ongoing coalition talks among key opposition stakeholders. He cautioned that such hesitation could jeopardize not only the chances of the opposition but also the long-held aspiration of producing a president of Igbo descent.
“We are not happy with Peter Obi,” Madu stated bluntly. “Instead of joining hands with others to rescue Nigeria, he seems to be focused only on himself. This is not the time for selfish politics.”
Madu criticized Obi’s conduct in the lead-up to the 2023 elections, accusing him of indirectly enabling the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by choosing not to collaborate with other opposition candidates.
“Obi’s refusal to work with other opposition leaders last time helped the APC win. If he repeats that behavior, he could again sabotage our chances — especially when the opportunity for an Igbo presidency is so ripe,” he added.
He noted that with the presidency currently in southern hands, the 2027 election presents a unique opportunity for the Southeast to clinch the highest office in the land — but only if the opposition is united.
“This is the best time for Ndigbo to push for the presidency. But we need unity. If Obi leaves the coalition, it will be harder for an Igbo person to become president in 2027 or even 2031.”
Madu further suggested that Obi’s recent political silence and ambiguous positioning have started to raise suspicions about his true intentions. He referenced past criticisms by APC-aligned commentators like Reno Omokri, warning that similar divisive tactics used in 2023 may be re-emerging.
He also cited journalist David Hundeyin, who has previously warned about the consequences of opposition fragmentation, calling on all stakeholders to take such warnings seriously this time around.
“Obi is not fully part of the plans, and it’s starting to look like he is playing another game. We need to know what he really wants. Nigerians deserve honesty. Peter Obi should stop pretending and tell us where he stands.”
Madu urged Obi to stop what he called “political ambiguity” and to make a clear commitment to the cause of opposition unity and Southeast representation.
Despite these concerns, Obi recently reaffirmed his allegiance to the Labour Party. Speaking on May 22, he assured supporters that he remains committed to running for future elections under the LP banner.
“I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party,” Obi said.
“But today, in all the parties, there are problems; these are deliberate problems caused by the system. These are some of the things I want to clean up if I have the opportunity. Parties will function very well because you can not have a system working without a strong opposition.”
With 2027 fast approaching, Madu and other stakeholders within the Southeast are pushing for clarity, unity, and decisive action especially from one of the region’s most prominent political figures.
