The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has rejected the reported endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term by five prominent Southeast political figures and subsequently declared them persona non grata across Igboland ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The affected political actors include former Governor and Minister of Works, David Umahi, former Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime, former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, and former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The declaration was made on Sunday in Enugu by the National President of the OYC, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, during a press briefing where he accused the political leaders of “betraying the collective interest of Ndigbo” through their political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Igboayaka said the group found the endorsement of President Tinubu “unacceptable and insensitive” given what he described as prevailing economic and security challenges in the Southeast.
“It is unfortunate that individuals who have benefitted immensely from the trust and votes of our people are now aligning themselves in ways that undermine the collective aspirations of Ndigbo,” he said.
He further argued that the endorsement disregards unresolved regional grievances, including calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in detention, and broader concerns about political marginalisation.
The OYC leader also criticised the political records of the affected former officeholders, alleging failures in governance and representation. However, he did not provide documentary evidence to substantiate the claims during the briefing.
“The people will no longer tolerate political manipulation or recycled leadership that has not delivered tangible benefits to the region,” Igboayaka stated.
The council announced what it described as a “social and political boycott” of the individuals, calling on residents across the Southeast to distance themselves from their political activities.
“We hereby declare them persona non grata in Igboland. This is a clear message that the era of political sabotage is over,” he added.
Igboayaka also warned that any attempts to mobilise support for the ruling party in the Southeast through the affected figures would face what he called “democratic resistance,” adding that the group is preparing for a “ballot revolution” in 2027.
The statement has already begun generating reactions across political circles in the Southeast, though none of the affected former governors had issued an official response at the time of filing this report.
The OYC maintained that its position reflects the “collective frustration of Igbo youths” and vowed to continue what it described as voter sensitisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
