The Igbo Heroes and Icons Foundation (IHIF) has rejected moves by a campaign group supporting President Bola Tinubu to persuade former presidential candidate Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race.
The campaign group, known as the Renewed Hope for Greater Nigeria (RHGN), had announced plans to meet with prominent Igbo leaders to appeal to Obi to step down and support the re-election bid of President Tinubu.
According to RHGN, through its Deputy National Leader for the South-East, Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, the group intends to engage leaders including Ohanaeze Ndigbo and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, to lead discussions with the former Anambra State governor.
DailyVista247 learnt that the South-East chapter of the RHGN disclosed the strategy on Saturday in Owerri, noting that it plans to approach respected Igbo statesmen to intervene in the matter.
The group said the intervention is not aimed at diminishing Obi's political profile but at recalibrating Igbo political strategy for long-term interest and alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, the Igbo Heroes and Icons Foundation has opposed the move, stating that President Tinubu should instead consider stepping aside for Peter Obi in the interest of fairness and national balance.
In a statement issued in Owerri, the Foundation said the proposal by RHGN does not reflect the position of the majority of people in the South-East region.
The group argued that Peter Obi remains a credible candidate with wide acceptance across the country and should be allowed to contest freely in the 2027 elections.
According to IHIF, the call for Obi to withdraw from the race undermines democratic principles and the right of every qualified Nigerian to seek elective office.
The Foundation further stated that rather than asking Obi to step down, political stakeholders should focus on promoting issue-based campaigns and peaceful participation.
It urged campaign groups to respect the democratic choices of citizens and avoid actions that could create unnecessary tension ahead of the polls.
The group also called on Igbo leaders not to be pressured into endorsing any move that would prevent Obi from contesting, adding that such decisions should be left to the electorate.
IHIF noted that Nigeria's democracy would be strengthened when all candidates are given equal opportunity to present their programmes to the people.
The Foundation reiterated its support for a level playing field for all aspirants and urged political actors to uphold the spirit of fairness and inclusion.
The development comes amid ongoing consultations by various political groups across the country as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.
