An Igbo community leader in Orile-Agege, Lagos State, Chief Solomon Sunday Chukwu, has urged members of the Igbo community to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing the need for political stability, continuity in governance and the completion of ongoing developmental projects.
Chukwu, who spoke on the political position of the Igbo community, said members were being sensitised to support the government in power, stressing that Lagos was their home and that their businesses, livelihoods and economic interests were closely tied to the continued development and stability of the state.
He maintained that the development of Lagos required cooperation between residents and the government, adding that supporting the present administration would guarantee continuity and prevent the abandonment of ongoing projects.
According to him, the popular saying that “the devil you know is better than the angel you do not know” aptly captures the importance of sustaining the current administration.
Speaking on the political disposition of the Igbo community, Chukwu noted that the ethnic group had always demonstrated unity in the pursuit of common interests, although several factors influenced its political decisions during the last election.
He, however, expressed optimism that the government had learnt valuable lessons from the previous election, while leaders of the Igbo community had also established stronger relationships with the authorities.
“As for me, I want to appeal to the government in power and the leadership of our party to look inward and adopt a different approach this time around to ensure better political engagement and wider support,” he said.
Chukwu further argued that Nigeria’s political arrangement since 1999 had largely reflected an eight-year power-sharing understanding between the North and the South.
He said it was important for the South to complete its eight-year tenure, maintaining that a change of government at this stage would not serve the long-term political interests of the Igbo people.
According to him, should former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, become president at this time, he might only serve four years under the prevailing political arrangement, whereas supporting Tinubu would allow the South to complete its eight-year tenure.
He consequently called on the Igbo community to rally behind President Tinubu’s second-term ambition, stressing that political continuity and strategic participation in national governance were crucial to advancing the interests of the Igbo people.
Chukwu added that sustained cooperation with the government would create more opportunities for the community, strengthen its relationship with the authorities and ensure that residents continued to benefit from the development of Lagos State.
