Supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope for Greater Nigeria (RHGN) have launched a fresh political move to persuade former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to support Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

The Southeast chapter of the pro-Tinubu group disclosed the plan after a meeting in Owerri, Imo State, where members discussed strategies for strengthening support for Tinubu across the five Southeast states ahead of the 2027 election.

The group said it intends to approach prominent Igbo leaders and seek their assistance in persuading Obi to withdraw from the presidential race and back Tinubu.

Among the leaders the group plans to involve are the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta Mbata; former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe.

The Southeast leader of RHGN, Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, said the group believes the proposed political arrangement could serve the long-term interests of the Southeast.

According to him, the objective is not simply to ask Obi to abandon his political ambition, but to encourage a strategic alliance between the Southeast and Southwest that could improve the Southeast’s chances of producing a president in the future.

Ngoforo argued that if Tinubu secures a second term in 2027, he would be constitutionally barred from seeking another term after completing the maximum two terms allowed for a Nigerian president.

He said this could create an opportunity for the Southeast to negotiate for political support when the presidency becomes available again.

The group therefore believes Obi could support Tinubu in 2027 while preserving his own long-term political relevance and ambition.

RHGN said it would first engage the identified Igbo leaders before seeking their support for a delegation to meet with Obi and present the proposal.

The move comes as political realignments and negotiations intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Political parties, support groups and prominent politicians have increasingly focused on building alliances across regional and political lines as preparations for the election gather momentum.

Tinubu is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Obi remains a major figure in the opposition political space.

Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, recorded significant support, particularly in the Southeast and among young voters across several parts of the country. His political movement remains an important factor in discussions surrounding the 2027 presidential contest.

The proposal by Tinubu’s supporters, however, remains an initiative of the RHGN Southeast group. There is no indication that Obi has accepted the proposal, agreed to withdraw from the 2027 race or endorsed Tinubu.

The development is expected to generate further discussion as political actors continue to negotiate possible alliances and endorsements ahead of the 2027 election.

With the next presidential contest approaching, efforts to secure the support of influential political figures such as Obi are likely to remain a major feature of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.