Igbo group to APC: You cannot bully Nigerians into voting against their conscience

The Igbo Heroes and Icons Foundation has warned the All Progressives Congress against trying to force Nigerians to vote against their preferred candidates in the 2027 elections. The group said political competition should be based on records, competence and policy proposals, not threats or coercion.

In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Chinedu Nsofor, IHIF pointed to what it described as a growing pattern of intimidating comments from political actors. It cited a statement attributed to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, who reportedly warned newly inaugurated local government chairmen that they could be removed if the APC failed to win their areas. The foundation also referred to reports that the chairman of Kuje Area Council told residents to support the APC or leave the council. The chairman later said his remarks had been taken out of context.

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The foundation believes that these incidents raise a fundamental question: Why should political competition increasingly be communicated through threats, pressure and intimidation, rather than through evidence of performance and a convincing record of service?

Nsofor said concerns had increased after a statement attributed to Yobe State APC Chairman Muhammad Gadaka, who reportedly advised women to consider divorce if their husbands opposed voting for the APC. “Why should political competition increasingly be communicated through threats, pressure and intimidation, rather than through evidence of performance and a convincing record of service?” the foundation asked.

IHIF said officeholders should seek votes through achievements, plans and policies rather than making citizens fear losing their appointments, homes or relationships. It also called for a national conversation about equity and representation, noting that no person of Igbo extraction had held Nigeria’s executive presidency since the return to democratic rule in 1999. The group said its call for an Igbo presidency was about fairness and inclusion, while insisting that presidential elections should ultimately turn on competence, ability, experience and demonstrated performance. It cited Peter Obi’s record as a basis for considering him a possible consensus candidate for the Igbo people.

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This is not an argument for ethnic entitlement to the Nigerian presidency; rather, it is an argument for fairness, inclusion and the opportunity for every major component of Nigeria to participate meaningfully in the leadership of the country.