ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Igbo Heroes and Icons Foundation, (IHIF), has warned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against using threats, intimidation or political pressure to influence Nigerians’ choices in the 2027 general elections.
The foundation said no political officeholder or party official had the right to make citizens believe that their appointments, livelihoods or personal relationships depended on voting for a particular party.
Vanguard reports that in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Hon. Chinedu Nsofor, on Sunday, the group said it was concerned about what it described as a growing pattern of statements by political actors allegedly threatening Nigerians and public officials who refuse to support the APC.
IHIF cited a statement attributed to Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, in which he reportedly warned newly inaugurated local government chairmen that they could be removed if the APC failed to win their respective council areas.
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The foundation also referred to reports involving the chairman of Kuje Area Council, who was alleged to have told residents to support the APC or leave the council. The chairman later said his comments had been taken out of context.
Nsofor also expressed concern over a statement attributed to the Yobe State APC Chairman, Muhammad Gadaka, who reportedly advised women to consider divorcing their husbands if they opposed voting for the party.
He said such comments were inappropriate in a democratic society, stressing that political parties should win voters through their records, competence, policies and programmes rather than threats.
“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?” the statement said.
The group said political officeholders seeking re-election should campaign on their achievements and plans instead of making citizens fear losing their appointments or other benefits if they voted for another party.
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“No governor, council chairman, political appointee or party official should make Nigerians feel that their right to vote comes with a condition attached,” IHIF said.
The foundation also called for a broader national conversation on equity and representation in political leadership.
According to IHIF, since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, the presidency has been occupied by politicians from the South-West, North-West and South-South, while no person of Igbo extraction has occupied the position.
It stressed, however, that its call for an Igbo presidency was not based on ethnic entitlement.
“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,” the group said.
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IHIF said equitable representation remained a legitimate subject for national debate, adding that its advocacy for an Igbo presidency was also anchored on the principle that presidential elections should ultimately be determined by competence, ability, experience and demonstrated performance.
The foundation identified former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as a politician whose record, according to the group, makes him suitable for consideration as a possible consensus presidential candidate for the Igbo people.
It, however, said the 2027 election should transcend ethnic considerations and serve as a referendum on competence, accountability, inclusion, economic development, security and respect for democratic freedoms.
The group urged Nigerians to exercise their constitutional right to vote according to their conscience and preference, regardless of pressure from political actors.
It maintained that political competition should be based on persuasion and performance, warning that intimidation could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and Nigeria’s democracy.