*Warns against internal sabotage, rising people's revolt
By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
As the countdown to the 2027 general elections gathers pace, deep divisions are emerging within the South East political establishment, with prominent public figures warning that internal sabotage, rather than external opposition, may be the biggest threat to the presidential ambition of Labour Party’s flagbearer in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi.
Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, President of the Ebonyi Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (EBCCIMA), has sharply criticized what he described as the "desperate and self-serving" actions of certain Igbo political and business elites.
In an interview, he warned that these actors have become the primary enemies of Obi’s campaign, working behind the scenes to derail his 2027 ambition under the guise of coalition politics.
“These so-called elites have turned into political hawks. Their intention is not to support Obi, but to use the coalition talks to negotiate personal gains and trade away the hopes of millions,” Ezeh said.
His comments shed light on a growing internal schism in the South East, where some influential voices are reportedly lobbying for Obi to play second fiddle again this time as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in a proposed 2027 coalition ticket.
Ezeh, the 2023 Labour Party House of Representatives Candidate for Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency described such moves as both “dishonest and regressive,” arguing that they only serve the interest of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which he accused of orchestrating power retention through subversion and confusion.
Ezeh also weighed in on the contentious debate over power rotation and micro-zoning. While Obi has supported Southern rotation in principle without specifying the South East, Ezeh argued that the zoning logic since 1999 leaves no room for ambiguity.
“Obasanjo had eight years for the South West. Jonathan had five years for the South South. Tinubu will complete four years for the South West by 2027. So where else should the next President come from, if not the South East?” he asked.
For Ezeh, the push for micro-zoning is not just political correctness—it is a litmus test for the sincerity of Nigerian power brokers who claim to support equity and justice.
Beyond ethnic sentiments, Ezeh advocated for a competency-based presidency, positioning Obi as a reformer whose integrity and leadership transcend regional politics. He cautioned against a "token Igbo presidency" that elevates compromised figures under the banner of ethnic representation.
“The Igbo need a Nigerian President who can fix the country, not just a president of Igbo extraction. If a corrupt Igbo politician is imposed, most Igbo people will vote for a credible alternative from another region,” he asserted.
Ezeh’s comments come amid growing indications that the APC is being rattled by opposition coalition dynamics. He described the party’s recent decision to rezone its national chairmanship as a panic response rather than a genuine pursuit of balance.
“APC is a house on fire. Their zoning manoeuvres are desperate tactics to remain relevant. But Nigerians are wiser now. Nobody will wait to go to court in 2027; they’ll come out to vote and defend their votes,” Ezeh warned.
He likened APC’s strategies to "power grab tactics," arguing that the party has exhausted its tricks and is now in full retreat mode due to the rising influence of the Obidient Movement and other opposition forces.
In perhaps his most striking assertion, Ezeh advised President Bola Tinubu to opt out of the 2027 contest as an act of national service.
“If Tinubu wants history to be kind to him, he should conduct a credible election and not be on the ballot. That’s the only way Nigerians can forgive his administration’s missteps,” he said.
Ezeh concluded with a stern warning to political elites across all parties: the Nigerian people are watching. Any betrayal of Obi's mandate or manipulation of the electoral process may trigger mass discontent.
“The wrath of the people is real. The coalition is not just political—it’s generational. 2027 will not be business as usual,” he said.
As the political temperature rises, Ezeh’s remarks reflect both the deepening rift within the South East political class and the increasingly impatient mood of the Nigerian electorate. With the stakes higher than ever, 2027 is shaping up to be not just a battle for power, but a contest between old political games and a new civic awakening in the country.
