The Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has firmly declared that Governor Charles Soludo's endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term will have no significant impact on South-East voting patterns in 2027.

In a statement released on Wednesday, NIF President Rev. Dr. Okechukwu Christopher Obioha responded to Soludo's announcement during Tinubu's recent visit to Anambra State, where the governor pledged support from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

"The Igbo and particularly the South-East electorates will give Tinubu 5% votes in 2027, an increase from the 3% votes he had in the 2023 elections," Obioha stated, effectively dismissing Soludo's endorsement.

The group cited unfulfilled infrastructure promises and alleged nepotism in appointments as key reasons for their stance. "There is no amount of promises made by Tinubu to any Governor or the good people of the South-East on infrastructure development that will sway the Igbo votes in his favour," Obioha emphasized.

NIF specifically highlighted the deteriorating railway infrastructure in the South-East compared to other regions, noting that despite promises made during the Buhari/Tinubu campaigns in 2022, "Railways lines are not functioning but more dilapidated and moribund than ever" in the region.

The organization also criticized what it described as Tinubu's "nepotistic attitude" in appointing individuals from the Yoruba region to strategic positions, which they claim undermines Federal Character principles.

Looking ahead to 2027, NIF declared Peter Obi as "the only credible and nationally acceptable candidate for 2027 Presidential candidate from the South-East." The group argued that since 2027 represents the last four years of what they consider an eight-year allocation for Southern Nigeria, the presidency should go to the South-East "for equity, justice and fairness."

"Let all hands be on deck to save the sinking ship (Nigeria), by giving the South-East a chance to produce the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2027. This will be one Nigeria indeed," Obioha concluded.

The statement also expressed support for recent calls for electoral reforms, particularly the mandatory electronic transmission of election results in real-time, especially for presidential elections.