Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie, has declared that any presidential aspirant who wishes to secure the support of the Igbo people ahead of the 2027 general elections must first commit to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) guaranteeing the region meaningful benefits from their administration.
Okorie made this known on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD). He emphasized that it is too early for the South East to endorse any aspirant since political parties are yet to officially produce their presidential candidates.
He explained that the Igbos will only throw their weight behind a candidate who agrees, through a binding MoU, to ensure that the region receives its fair share of democratic dividends.
According to him:
“The issue of where we stand ahead of 2027 is premature. Political parties have not even produced their candidates. When they do, those we support will be subjected to a memorandum of understanding as to what they will do for the Igbo nation. What is more important is to wake up the sleeping giant in us. Even if our son is the presidential candidate, he must sign the MoU.”
While reading the communique jointly signed by Jonathan Elendu, the Executive Secretary of the IAD, Okorie clarified that the body is not a rival to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural organization of the Igbo. Instead, the IAD will serve as a complementary platform dedicated to formulating a clear and enforceable political agenda for Ndigbo.
The meeting also resolved to convene a comprehensive Igbo Political Summit in Enugu, with the date to be announced later.
