Opposition Should Adopt Obi To Rescue Nigeria From Debt And Poverty — Igbo Icons Foundation

The Igbo Heroes and Icons Foundation, IHIF, has called on the opposition parties’ committee to adopt Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as consensus candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Chinedu Nsofor, the foundation said Obi’s competence, integrity and principles make him the most qualified to lead Nigeria.

It cited his tenure as Anambra governor as evidence of prudent financial management, saying he left office with no debt, cleared salaries, pensions, gratuities, contractors and other liabilities, and handed over substantial savings.

“The record speaks for itself. Peter Obi left office with no debt burden on the state, cleared outstanding obligations, paid salaries, pensions, gratuities, contractors and other liabilities, and still handed over substantial savings to his successor,” the group said.

IHIF said Anambra remained fiscally stable under Obi at a time many states depended on federal bailouts, adding that such qualities are needed to address Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.

The group argued that the South-East remains the only major zone yet to produce an elected president since 1999, describing it as an imbalance that should be addressed for national unity.

“For decades, the Igbo people have supported presidential candidates from other regions in the spirit of national cohesion. We believe the time has come for other regions to reciprocate that gesture by supporting a credible South-East candidate. That candidate is Peter Obi,” it said.

It also cited Obi’s business background as capacity to transform Nigeria from a consumption-based to a production-driven economy through agriculture, industry and value creation.

Describing the endorsement as “not merely an Igbo agenda,” IHIF urged parties, stakeholders and Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines to support Obi.

“We firmly believe he is the leader best positioned to rescue Nigeria from its present economic difficulties and prevent the country from sliding further into debt, poverty and institutional decline,” it added.