Convener of The Alternative Movement, Otunba Segun Sowunmi on Saturday assured members of the Igbo community and other non-indigenes in Ogun State that supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 should not be seen as an opposition to the aspiration for an Igbo president in the future.
Sowunmi stated this while addressing members of the Non-Indigene Association of Ogun State, Egba Zone, comprising groups including the Igbo Association, Igede Community, Tiv/Benue people, Calabar Association, Arewa Association and Igala community.
He urged the groups to mobilise their members across Ogun State and vote for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, saying political support should be based on mutual understanding and should not permanently shut out any region from seeking the presidency.
According to him, supporting Tinubu at the next election does not mean Nigerians should abandon the principle of allowing people from different parts of the country to aspire to the highest political office.
He appealed particularly to members of the Igbo community to support Tinubu, stressing that political relationships should be reciprocal and that Nigerians from different ethnic backgrounds should have opportunities to produce the country’s president.
“In the same way that we are appealing to you today to support Bola Tinubu, by Almighty God, Chineke, and the Lord, we will work very hard until we carry an Igbo man and put him in that top seat. Nothing will happen.
”The 2027 election will provide an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of support available to the President in the South.
“You have never failed me. I came to beg you because I know you are extremely reliable,” he told the gathering.
He urged members of the various associations to participate actively in the election campaign and turn out in large numbers on election day, describing the non-indigene community as dependable and important to the political process in the state.
Earlier, Chairman of the Non-Indigene Association of Ogun State, Egba Zone, Hon. Francis Nwanze, said the association had resolved to support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Also speaking, a representative of the Igede Community pledged that non-indigenes would participate actively in campaigns and rallies organised in support of the President.
“We are working for Tinubu’s re-election. When it is time for rallies, you will see non-indigenes in their large numbers to support and campaign for President Tinubu,” the representative said.
The association, however, called for greater inclusion of non-indigenes in governance, including consideration for appointments into positions such as Special Assistants.
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