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The Igbo nation must harness its collective political power to reshape Nigeria’s future, Chief (Dr) Chekwas Okorie, convener of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue (IAD), urged yesterday. Speaking in Abuja during the group’s second meeting at Chelsea Hotel, Okorie framed the 2027 General Elections as a decisive moment for the South-East, describing united political participation as the only credible path to ending decades of marginalisation.
Despite being one of Nigeria’s largest and most widely dispersed ethnic groups, the Igbo have, according to Okorie, long suffered the consequences of disunity and voter apathy. “Our people have the numbers, the geographical presence, and the capability,” he said, “yet decades of fragmented political action have left the South-East exposed to avoidable marginalisation and, at times, ridicule on the national stage.”
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Okorie stressed that strategic engagement, combined with focused voter mobilisation, could allow the Igbo to reclaim their voice in Nigeria’s governance. “Through coordinated effort, we can redesign the political map and ensure that the Igbo are not just counted but heard, and their interests reflected at every level of government,” he added.
Looking ahead, the IAD is preparing a major resolution for the proposed 2026 Igbo Political Summit in Enugu, a gathering Okorie described as a platform for laying out a unified electoral strategy. He called on all eligible Igbo citizens to participate actively in democratic processes—not only at the polls but in shaping policies and public discourse.
The IAD’s message comes amid broader national conversations about ethnic representation, equity, and the role of grassroots mobilisation in Nigeria’s democratic system. For Okorie and his supporters, the emphasis is clear: unity and proactive engagement are essential for transforming numerical strength into tangible political influence.
