Ex-Lawmaker Urges Peter Obi To Support Tinubu’s 2027 Reelection For Southern Unity

As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 presidential election, Lagos State ex-lawmaker Jude Idimogu has called on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to set aside his ambitions and support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term. In a recent interview with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Idimogu expressed strong views on the need for unity among Southern politicians, emphasizing that Tinubu deserves continued support for the sake of national balance and development.

Idimogu aligned himself with the sentiments of the Deputy President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who recently advised Obi to drop his 2027 presidential aspiration. Echoing the call, Idimogu said, “I strongly agree with the appeal to Obi. He should support Tinubu as both leaders are from the South. This is a critical moment for unity, not division.”

The former lawmaker warned that Obi’s persistence in the race could fracture the Southern voting bloc once again, potentially jeopardizing the region’s opportunity to retain the presidency. “Obi running again will only split the South, making it easier for another Northern candidate to rise. We need to consolidate our strength and protect our political leverage,” he noted.

Idimogu further urged prominent figures across the South to stand behind Tinubu, stressing that such solidarity would mirror the political strategy employed by Northern leaders during President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure. “Despite opposition, the North stood firmly behind Buhari. We in the South must adopt the same principle and back our own. Tinubu needs our total support to deliver,” he said.

He acknowledged that President Tinubu’s administration may not have solved all of Nigeria’s deep-seated problems within his first two years but insisted that he deserves a full term to complete his vision. “It is unrealistic to expect Tinubu to fix decades of national challenges in such a short time. He needs continuity, and that can only happen if we are united,” he emphasized.

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Idimogu also addressed the role of Igbo leaders, encouraging them to take a broader, regional view rather than focusing solely on ethnic ambitions. “Peter Obi has every right to run again, but I urge Igbo leaders to put the South first. Supporting Tinubu now will benefit us all and ensure that the presidency remains in our region,” he argued.

Additionally, he appealed to Northern politicians to honour the principle of fairness by allowing a Southern presidency to run its full course. According to him, this would enhance national cohesion and promote political stability across Nigeria. “We need equity. Northerners must support Tinubu’s second term to demonstrate respect for rotational leadership,” he added.

While supporting Tinubu’s reelection, Idimogu acknowledged the importance of a healthy opposition and welcomed constructive criticism from rival parties. However, he insisted that national unity must come first. “We should all embrace debate and criticism, but let it be done constructively. Let the opposition present better ideas without tearing the nation apart,” he advised.

Idimogu also took a swipe at rival parties, suggesting that neither the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor the African Democratic Congress (ADC) currently has a candidate strong enough to dislodge Tinubu from office. “Let’s be honest. Neither PDP nor ADC has a heavyweight who can defeat Tinubu in 2027. It’s wiser to work with the momentum and focus on delivering results,” he said.

The former lawmaker’s comments come amid growing discussions on zoning and regional representation in Nigeria’s complex political system. With Tinubu being the first Southern president since Goodluck Jonathan, many Southern politicians see his administration as an opportunity to balance decades of perceived political dominance by the North.

As the countdown to 2027 begins, voices like Idimogu’s are shaping the narrative around unity, loyalty, and strategic alliance within the Southern political landscape. Whether Obi will heed the call or forge ahead with his presidential ambition remains to be seen, but the message from Idimogu is unmistakable, “Southern solidarity must come first.”