ACF, Yoruba Groups Fault Igbo Leaders’ Call To Suspend 2027 Elections

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and several South-West leaders have challenged the Igbo Leaders of Thought’s proposal to suspend the 2027 general elections until Nigeria’s restructuring is completed.

The proposal has reopened disagreements over the country’s political structure, with stakeholders divided on the creation of 10 autonomous regions, regional control of resources and the establishment of regional police.

The Igbo Leaders of Thought rejected the communiqué issued after the Abuja restructuring conference of August 20, 2026, alleging that the position of the Igbo delegation was disregarded.

The group proposed an enlarged Igbo Region extending beyond the five South-East states and called for restructuring to be completed before May 2027, followed by elections under a new constitutional arrangement.

But several South-West and northern voices have questioned the practicality of the proposals, particularly the plan to delay the elections, while others have called for further negotiations over the future of the federation.

Adejumo questions Igbo group’s approach

Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, who led the South-West delegation to the Patriots Constitutional Conference in Abuja, described the ILT’s position as unrealistic.

Adejumo said Nigeria’s ethnic groups had struggled for years to agree on the structural changes required to address the country’s challenges.

He argued that the South-West’s restructuring demands were not fundamentally different from some of the Igbo proposals, but said the various groups needed to clarify their objectives and negotiate a workable arrangement.

Recalling previous constitutional initiatives, including the 1953 London Conference and the 2014 National Conference, he said repeated efforts had failed to produce a lasting solution.

Adejumo urged the Igbo to work with other groups and pursue dialogue, questioning whether the proposed changes had a clear and practical path to implementation.

Afenifere backs states as federating units

Afenifere rejected the proposal for imposed regionalism, warning that assigning states and ethnic communities to regions from above could trigger fresh disputes.

The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, said Afenifere remained committed to the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference, which supported states as federating units.

Faloye argued that a top-down approach could create disaffection, especially in the South-South and North-Central regions, where minority communities might resist being placed under regional authorities they did not support.

He advocated a bottom-up arrangement in which states and local communities could determine their preferred affiliations.

Afenifere Secretary-General, Chief Ademola Folarin, said the organisation was not part of the Abuja conference and had not abandoned the 2014 recommendations.

According to him, the conference supported the retention of the federal and state structure, possible creation of additional states to accommodate minorities, and devolution of powers, including policing and mining.

Omololu insists on community consent

The Convener of the Conscience of Yoruba Nation Group, Apagun Kole Omololu, supported restructuring into autonomous regions but said the process must be voluntary and inclusive.

Omololu warned that regionalism must not replace one form of domination with another, stressing that every constituent community should have its identity, culture, language, political rights and economic interests protected.

He urged the Igbo Leaders of Thought to consult the states and communities they want included in their proposed region and obtain their freely expressed consent.

Omololu said the key issues were who would decide the boundaries, whether the proposed regions would be viable, and what safeguards would protect minorities.

Adeniran warns against democratic vacuum

Debo Adeniran, National Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership and President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, said the disagreement reflected a lack of consensus on the form restructuring should take.

He said the proposed 10-region system raised important questions about boundaries, the wishes of affected communities and the rights of minorities.

Adeniran called for transparent dialogue and, where necessary, referendums to resolve those questions.

He described the proposed suspension of the 2027 elections as a major constitutional concern, saying any transition would require a clear legal framework, broad agreement, defined timelines and institutional safeguards.

He warned that restructuring should deepen democracy rather than create a democratic vacuum.

Public analyst Nelson Ekujimi took a more dismissive position, describing the ILT’s proposal as the opinion of a group that had no mandate to speak for the entire country.

Yoruba Council Worldwide calls for negotiations

President of Yoruba Council Worldwide, Aare Sooko Oladotun Hassan, said restructuring should not be postponed simply because elections were approaching.

Hassan argued that the allegation that the Igbo delegation’s position was excluded from the Abuja communiqué deserved serious attention and called for the parties to return to the negotiating table.

He backed discussions on regional resource control and decentralised policing, provided they were accompanied by constitutional safeguards, accountability and protection for minority communities.

However, he warned that the 2027 elections should not be suspended unnecessarily or used as a bargaining tool.

Hassan called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, political parties, traditional rulers and socio-cultural organisations to establish an inclusive process for discussing constitutional reforms.

ACF says demands must follow the Constitution

ACF spokesperson Professor Tukur Baba said the Igbo Leaders of Thought had no constitutional authority to halt elections or compel the country to adopt its preferred restructuring model.

Baba said proposals for constitutional change should be channelled through the National Assembly and state assemblies, adding that the forum had submitted recommendations during the constitutional review process.

He urged the ILT to engage the relevant state assemblies and pursue its demands through consultation, negotiation and constitutional procedures.

Baba said groups had the right to make recommendations and protest, but their demands must take account of the rights of other Nigerians.

OPC rejects election suspension

The Deputy National Secretary of Oodua People’s Congress Worldwide, Otunba Babatunde Thompson, condemned the ILT’s proposal to suspend the 2027 elections, describing it as selfish and insensitive.

Thompson supported restructuring and resource control, arguing that regions should manage their resources while contributing to the Federal Government.

He also called for a Sovereign National Conference to develop a constitution that reflects the aspirations of Nigerians.