By Seyi Odewale
The apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has dismissed calls for a one-term Igbo presidency after 2027, describing the idea as deceptive, unrealistic, and a betrayal of democratic principles.
In a statement on Thursday by its Deputy President-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the constitutional two-term limit for the office of President and state governors, stressing that this provision ensures fairness, equity, and democratic stability.
Ohanaeze argued that since the short-lived tenure of Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi in 1966, no Igbo has held executive power at the federal level, while Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s ceremonial presidency (1963–1966) carried no executive authority.
Against this backdrop, it described as “monumental injustice” any proposal that would see the first democratically elected Igbo president serve just one term.
The organisation said it would be a grave political miscalculation for any Igbo presidential aspirant to enter the 2027 race pledging to vacate office by 2031.
Such a move, it argued, would rob the South-East of the opportunity to consolidate gains and implement long-term development plans that require the stability of two full terms.
“If an Igbo president emerges in 2027, there must be a clear path to 2031 to complete a full constitutional cycle,” the statement read.
Ohanaeze further accused proponents of the one-term idea of either acting out of desperation or pursuing hidden personal agendas.
It challenged such aspirants to prove their sincerity by ensuring that governors, senators, and other elected officials from their party also commit to serving only a single term.
The group also cautioned the electorate to be wary of campaign gimmicks that promise quick fixes at the expense of lasting reforms.
According to Ohanaeze, the four-year window of a single term would be insufficient to address deep-rooted national challenges, especially for a region that has been politically sidelined for decades.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo firmly advocates for an Igbo presidency but not at the cost of compromising democratic governance. Any individual advancing the single-term idea lacks the endorsement of Ndigbo and has morally disqualified themselves from the 2027 race,” the statement added.
The organisation maintained that it would only support a two-term presidency for any Igbo elected to lead the country, insisting that anything less would be a disservice to both the South-East and the Nigerian nation.
