2027 elections: South-east yet to endorse any presidential candidate, youth leaders tell Uzodimma

The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has distanced the people of the South East from comments credited to Imo state governor and Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, declaring support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

The group in a statement signed by the President General of COSEYL, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, and made available to journalists on Tuesday insisted that the South East had not endorsed any presidential candidate, political party or coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that Governor Uzodimma was expressing only his personal political opinion. Blueprint reports

‘Uzodimma does not speak for Ndigbo’

According to the group, no governor has the constitutional, political or moral authority to commit the votes of the people of the South East to any presidential candidate.

It maintained that the democratic choices of millions of voters in the region cannot be determined by a few political office holders.

COSEYL said the era when elected officials presumed they could dictate the political decisions of citizens had passed, insisting that every eligible voter has the right to make an independent choice at the ballot box.

The group stated that Governor Uzodimma’s declaration should not be interpreted as the collective position of the South East or the mandate of the Igbo people.

Region yet to take position on 2027

COSEYL stressed that the South East had not adopted any position regarding the 2027 presidential election.

According to the statement, the region has not endorsed any candidate, political party or political arrangement and will only make its decision when the election draws nearer.

The group said voters in the region would assess all presidential aspirants based on competence, justice, equity, national inclusion, security, economic performance and their commitment to addressing the concerns of both Ndigbo and Nigerians generally.

It added that the outcome of the 2027 presidential election would be determined by the electorate and not by governors or political elites.

‘People will decide’

The youth body reminded Governor Uzodimma that sovereignty in a democracy belongs to the people and not to elected officials.

It argued that every vote belongs to an individual citizen and cannot be transferred or pledged by any political office holder.

COSEYL cautioned political leaders against creating the impression that the South East had surrendered its democratic right to negotiate and determine its political future.

It described such declarations as misleading and disrespectful to the millions of voters across the region.

Calls for issue-based engagement

While acknowledging the constitutional right of every governor to support any candidate of his choice, the group maintained that such endorsements should remain personal and should not be presented as the collective decision of an entire region.

It noted that the people of the South East are politically aware and capable of making informed electoral choices without coercion or external influence.

The group urged political parties and presidential aspirants seeking support from the region to engage the South East with sincerity and present practical programmes capable of addressing its developmental needs.

According to COSEYL, issues such as justice, fairness, equity, infrastructure development, security, economic empowerment and the full integration of the South East into the Nigerian federation should form the basis of engagement with the region.

Calls for vigilance

The group also appealed to the people of the South East to remain united and vigilant ahead of the 2027 elections.

It warned that no individual or group should assume the authority to negotiate away the political future of the region.

COSEYL reaffirmed that the votes of the South East belong to the people and would only be exercised freely and independently during the 2027 presidential election in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.