2027: IGBO YOUTHS GIVE TINUBU, APC CONDITIONAL SUPPORT
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By Alice Idowu
Igbo young individuals under the auspices of the All Igbo Youth Forum have articulated a definitive prerequisite for endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections: the unequivocal release of the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The collective issued the statement during a media briefing and unity assembly conducted at Awka Hall, Umuahia, to commemorate Kanu’s recent judicial success in Kenya. More than 300 young individuals from various South-East states engaged in the occasion, which subsequently transitioned into the streets with a celebratory procession, supported by solidarity slogans.
Their assembly occurred subsequent to a pivotal decision by the Kenyan High Court in Nairobi on June 26, which pronounced the kidnapping, confinement, and extraordinary rendition of Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021 as “unlawful, unconstitutional, and a severe infringement of his essential human rights. ”
Justice E. C. Mwita, who presided over the case, held the Kenyan government and its security agencies accountable and awarded Kanu damages of 10 million Kenyan shillings.
Characterizing the ruling as “monumental” and an affirmation of Kanu’s acquittal, the young individuals implored President Tinubu to pay attention to ongoing appeals for Kanu’s liberation.
Representing the collective, the President General of the All Igbo Youth Forum and former Deputy Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedum Obilor (commonly referred to as Fayose Ohuhu), stated that Tinubu’s prospects in the South-East in the 2027 elections fundamentally depend on Kanu’s liberation.
“Mr. President should not be deceived by empty assurances from Igbo political leaders,” Obilor stated. “We, the youths, are in charge of Igbo land—not the senators, not the governors. If you release Kanu, you don’t need to give us rice or money to vote for you. But if you don’t, we will align with anyone who is willing to release him, regardless of tribe.”
Obilor emphasized that the release of the IPOB leader is the most pressing demand among Igbo youths and warned that continuing to ignore this demand could have serious political consequences for the Tinubu administration.
“Our governors and lawmakers are deceiving you. They claim to have control, but they don’t. Come and work with the youths, or what happened in the last election will happen again,” he warned.
He remarked that previous appeals from esteemed Igbo leaders like Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Chief Mbazulike Amaechi were disregarded by the Federal Government, but on this occasion, the youth are communicating directly—and their voices must be acknowledged.
The organization also advised Igbo politicians to refrain from exploiting Kanu’s name for political gain.
“We are warning our political leaders to stop using Kanu’s name to play politics. That era is over. They hold our mandate, and we can use our votes to take it back.”
With rising youth mobilization in the region, the All Igbo Youth Forum’s position signals a growing political consciousness and a new phase in the push for Kanu’s release, one that could shape alliances and electoral outcomes in 2027.
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