Politics
Ahead of 2027: Tinubu’s posters flood Imo; It’s insulting, insensitive, political group reacts
The political atmosphere in Imo State has been stirred following a wave of campaign posters promoting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s alleged bid for re-election in 2027. Over the past two weeks, these posters have appeared prominently across Owerri and other major towns in the state, sparking widespread reactions and intensifying political discourse.
Bearing Tinubu’s image alongside the slogan, “Your voice must be heard. Join the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement Today,” the posters have triggered both controversy and concern among residents and political observers.
Reacting to the development, a political advocacy group, Concerned Imo Political Watch, led by Nze Paul Nduka, condemned the campaign materials, describing them as both “insulting and insensitive” to the people of Imo.
Nduka stated, “First and foremost, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not released the official timetable for the 2027 general elections. This means that electioneering activities are yet to be sanctioned. By allowing these posters, the APC—despite being the ruling party—is openly contradicting electoral laws and its own standards.”
He further questioned the rationale behind choosing Imo State as the launchpad for the campaign push. “Why Imo? President Tinubu and the APC have consistently marginalized our state in national matters. A glaring example is the recent appointment of senior officials to the National Population Commission (NPC)—no indigene of Imo made the list.”
Nduka also criticized the perceived neglect of the South East, particularly Imo State, in federal infrastructure development. “In almost two years of Tinubu’s administration, we are yet to see a single significant federal project in our state or even in the South East. Choosing Imo for this early campaign move is not only provocative—it’s a blatant disregard for the principles of equity, inclusion, and democratic process.”
Nduka pointed out that the actions of Tinubu and his campaigners constitute an assault on the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and by extension, a disservice to Nigerians from all sectors. He emphasized, “The Tinubu campaigners must be brought to book because their actions are a direct affront to our constitution and to the citizens of Nigeria.” He further insisted that if the president claims ignorance of the controversy surrounding the posters, he must initiate an investigation and hold those responsible accountable.
Nduka questioned the morality and honesty of the campaigners in light of the challenges Nigerians have faced since Tinubu’s presidency began almost two years ago. He remarked, “What gives Tinubu and his allies the moral authority to ask us to re-elect a president who has been so ineffective in his duties? In Imo, we have seen a dramatic rise in violence and kidnappings attributed to Fulani herdsmen. Joblessness, hunger, and starvation are at an all-time high under a president who chooses to holiday while his citizens suffer from avoidable crises. The energy and power situation in Imo has also worsened, leading to the collapse of many small businesses. Therefore, asking us to support Tinubu’s re-election is an insult to the people of this state; we are not part of this political failure.”
An APC member in Imo, Igwe Pius Igwe, rebutted Nduka’s assertions, declaring them “not factual.” He claimed, “Critics like Nduka are neither constitutionally sound nor politically correct. They have emerged from obscurity only to mislead the gullible public with spun narratives. The posters being displayed in Owerri do not signal a campaign for President Tinubu; the electoral laws clearly outline when and how campaigning should occur. As the president, Tinubu is aware of these regulations. These posters represent goodwill messages from members of the public who wish him well, and to associate them with the 2027 presidential election is a malicious act, surely stemming from opposition factions.”
The sentiment in Imo and across the South East suggests widespread disillusionment with the APC-led federal government. The Igbo people feel they, alongside other ethnic groups, overwhelmingly supported Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election, despite the results being allegedly manipulated in favor of PBAT, and thus do not share in his re-election ambitions.
Since then, large crowds have consistently gathered to support Obi during his visits, not only in Imo or the South East but across various geopolitical regions in Nigeria. For instance, during the funeral rites of the late bank guru Ndaa Paschal Gabriel Dozie, the masses obstructed Obi from accessing the compound.
Elder Njoku Ikedimma expressed, “Nothing better encapsulates Nigeria’s regression than these posters in Owerri, calling on the Igbo people and all Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. It is madness. This is a disgraceful act that shows profound disrespect for our people. To illustrate their awareness of the shamefulness of their actions, those responsible for these posters chose to display them at night, presumably fearing the backlash if done in daylight. They must be left alone; appropriate action will eventually be taken at the right time.”
