2027 Election: IHIF Backs Peter Obi, Calls for Consensus Opposition Candidate

The Igbo Heroes and Icons Foundation (IHIF) has urged the opposition parties’ committee to rally behind Peter Obi as its consensus candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), received the group’s backing in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chinedu Nsofor.

IHIF said Obi’s competence, integrity and adherence to his principles set him apart as, in the foundation’s assessment, the most qualified person to lead Nigeria.

The organisation highlighted Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, particularly his approach to public finances and administration.

“The record speaks for itself. Peter Obi left office with no debt burden on the state, cleared outstanding obligations, paid salaries, pensions, gratuities, contractors and other liabilities, and still handed over substantial savings to his successor,” IHIF said.

The foundation maintained that Anambra’s fiscal stability during Obi’s administration was notable, particularly when many other states, according to the group, were relying on federal interventions and bailout funds.

IHIF said the same approach to financial management and administration was needed to tackle Nigeria’s economic and security problems.

The foundation also argued that the South-East deserved greater consideration in the country’s presidential politics, noting that the region remains the only major geopolitical zone that has not produced an elected president since 1999.

It described the situation as an imbalance that should be corrected in the interest of national unity.

“For decades, the Igbo people have supported presidential candidates from other regions in the spirit of national cohesion. We believe the time has come for other regions to reciprocate that gesture by supporting a credible South-East candidate. That candidate is Peter Obi,” the group said.

Beyond his political experience, IHIF pointed to Obi’s business background as another reason for its support, arguing that it gives him the capacity to transform Nigeria from what it called a consumption-based economy into a production-driven one.

The foundation said such transformation could be achieved through greater focus on agriculture, industrial development and value creation.

IHIF insisted that its support for Obi should not be interpreted as an ethnic campaign.

Describing its endorsement as “not merely an Igbo agenda,” the group called on political parties, stakeholders and Nigerians from different ethnic and religious backgrounds to support the former Anambra governor.

“We firmly believe he is the leader best positioned to rescue Nigeria from its present economic difficulties and prevent the country from sliding further into debt, poverty and institutional decline,” the statement added.

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