2027: Igbo group plans S’East grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House

The Ndigbo for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2027 Forum has announced a new plan to increase support for President Bola Tinubu in the South-East ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The group said it had prepared a political plan that would focus on working with people at the grassroots across the five South-East states.

NDI-ABAT said the plan, called the 2027 South-East Winning Strategy and Political Blueprint, would be presented to President Tinubu and the Convener of the City Boys Movement, Mr Seyi Tinubu.

The group’s National Coordinator, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Secretary-General, Dr Ugwuoke N. Ugwuoke Jr., made this known in a statement issued on Monday.

They said the plan was prepared after meetings with community members, stakeholders and a review of past election results in the region.

According to the group, election figures from previous presidential elections could help in planning for the 2027 election.

NDI-ABAT said APC presidential votes in the South-East rose from 198,248 in 2015 to 403,968 in 2019. However, the figure dropped to 127,605 in 2023.

The group said the 2019 result was 205,720 votes higher than the 2015 figure.

It said the figures showed that political support in the region could change when proper work was done at the grassroots.

However, NDI-ABAT said the 2023 result showed that more attention was needed at the grassroots before the next election.

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“The numbers cannot be ignored,” the group said.

The forum also said the five South-East states should not be treated as one political area because each state has its own political situation.

It said the plan would cover Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, with attention given to senatorial districts, local government areas and polling units.

NDI-ABAT also said having South-East politicians in government and federal positions should be followed by more contact with people at the grassroots.

The group said this could include meetings with voters and community leaders, as well as efforts to explain government activities to the people.

It also mentioned federal projects in the South-East, especially those under the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.

According to the group, people should be properly informed about government projects in their communities. This, it said, would help residents know what projects were being carried out and the progress made.

NDI-ABAT said its plan was not meant to replace the existing APC structures. It said the plan would instead support the structures and help improve grassroots activities.

The group said presenting the blueprint to President Tinubu and Seyi Tinubu would allow its members to present their findings and recommendations ahead of the 2027 election.

“The South-East political equation must be understood through evidence, organised through the grassroots and measured through verifiable results,” the group said.