The Ndigbo for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2027 Forum (NDI-ABAT) has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against relying excessively on state governors as the major pillars of his 2027 re-election strategy, warning that political alliances may become unreliable when individual interests and electoral ambitions come into play.
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Key Highlights
- NDI-ABAT warns Tinubu against excessive reliance on governors ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
- The group urges the President to learn from former President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 electoral defeat.
- It warns that governors may prioritise their political survival over existing alliances.
- NDI-ABAT cautions against political intimidation of opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
- The forum recommends stronger grassroots engagement, outreach to the Southeast and inclusion of Ndigbo.
The forum urged Tinubu to build stronger relationships with Nigerians, grassroots organisations and independent political movements rather than depending solely on governors and other political officeholders for his political future.
NDI-ABAT Cautions Tinubu Against Depending on Governors
This position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the group’s National Coordinator, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and its Board of Trustees Chairman, Dim Uche Okwukeu, and made available to journalists.
According to the forum, political calculations can change rapidly, particularly when governors begin to consider their individual electoral fortunes and future political survival.
“President Tinubu must therefore distinguish between public declarations of support and genuine, consistent political commitment,” the statement said.
NDI-ABAT maintained that public endorsements do not necessarily translate into sustained commitment when political interests begin to clash.
Group Urges Tinubu to Learn From Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 Defeat
The forum advised Tinubu to study the political experience of former President Goodluck Jonathan, whose defeat in the 2015 presidential election, according to the group, demonstrated the importance of managing political alliances, party structures and competing interests.
NDI-ABAT warned that excessive dependence on political officeholders without developing broader relationships with the electorate could expose the President to avoidable political challenges ahead of 2027. It argued that a sustainable political structure requires direct engagement with citizens and independent political groups.
The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to INEC’s official election calendar.
NDI-ABAT Warns Against Political Intimidation of Opposition Figures
The forum also expressed concern over what it described as growing confrontations involving some governors and opposition politicians, particularly former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
It warned that political intimidation, hostility and unnecessary confrontations could deepen divisions and create opportunities for emerging opposition platforms, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“Opposition politicians must be allowed to participate freely in the democratic process. Political intimidation, hostility and unnecessary confrontations could deepen divisions and create opportunities for emerging opposition platforms, including the ADC and NDC,” the statement said.
The group urged the President to encourage an inclusive democratic environment in which political opponents can freely participate in the electoral process.
City Boy Movement Identified as Platform for 2027 Outreach
NDI-ABAT identified the City Boy Movement as an important platform for expanding political engagement and strengthening Tinubu’s support base ahead of the 2027 presidential election. It proposed strategic collaboration with the movement to improve political outreach and mobilisation across the Southeast.
The forum expressed confidence that its regional structures and proposed partnership could help rebuild political communication between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Igbo population.
It argued that rebuilding confidence among Ndigbo would require sustained dialogue, political inclusion, respect and visible commitments to the interests of the Southeast.
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NDI-ABAT Calls for Direct Engagement With Nigerians
The forum further advised Tinubu against making state governors the exclusive channels of his political engagement, recommending stronger connections with grassroots organisations, community leaders, independent political movements and ordinary Nigerians across the country.
“Our warning to President Tinubu is clear: Do not repeat the political miscalculations associated with 2015. Do not confuse public loyalty with guaranteed commitment. Do not surrender your political future to the calculations of individual governors. Build wider relationships with Nigerians and strengthen independent political structures before the 2027 election. Political alliances are important, but they must never become a substitute for direct engagement with the people,” the forum stated.
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