Northern Youth Assembly Raises Questions Over Peter Obi’s Past Remarks on IPOB Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) has reignited debate over former Labour Party presidential candidate and current Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, regarding his past comments on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing the issue as a major political liability ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Hafiz Garba, the group argued that Obi’s 2017 remarks rejecting the designation of IPOB as a terrorist organization continue to raise concerns, particularly among northern voters who have experienced the devastating effects of terrorism and armed violence.

According to the statement, Obi, during an appearance on the television programme Politics Today on October 1, 2017, disagreed with the Federal Government’s decision to classify IPOB as a terrorist organization. The Assembly noted that the former Anambra State governor had stated that he did not regard IPOB members as terrorists, citing his interactions with them in Onitsha and claiming he had never felt threatened by their activities.

The group maintained that the comments remain significant because, in its view, Obi has neither retracted nor substantially revised the position since making the statement nearly a decade ago.

The Northern Youth Assembly argued that the issue resurfaced during the 2023 presidential election campaign and generated criticism from some northern stakeholders who questioned Obi’s stance on national security and terrorism.

The statement further alleged that subsequent comments made by Obi regarding insecurity in the South-East failed to directly address concerns surrounding IPOB and its activities. According to the Assembly, his remarks did not provide the level of clarity expected by those seeking a firm position on the group’s designation and actions.

The youth organization contended that developments in recent years, including continued security challenges and economic disruptions linked to sit-at-home orders in parts of the South-East, have made the matter more politically relevant as the 2027 election approaches.

It argued that while Obi’s campaign has focused on issues such as economic reform, governance, and infrastructure development, questions surrounding his views on IPOB are likely to remain a subject of scrutiny among northern voters.

“The fundamental question many northern voters will ask is whether Peter Obi considers IPOB a terrorist organisation or not,” the statement said, adding that the issue could influence perceptions of his commitment to tackling insecurity across the country.

The Assembly stressed that communities in Northern Nigeria, having suffered years of attacks from insurgents, bandits, and other armed groups, place a high premium on what it described as clear and consistent positions on matters relating to terrorism and national security.

It concluded that Obi’s past comments and the absence of an explicit reversal may continue to feature prominently in political discussions ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The statement was signed by Dr. Hafiz Garba, Secretary-General of the Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa