Barely four months to the 2027 general elections, Igbo leaders, under the umbrella of Igbo Leaders of Thought, ILT, have called for the temporary suspension of elections pending the completion of Nigeria’s restructuring exercise.
This came as the leaders proposed a 10-region political structure while rejecting the communique issued at the Abuja restructuring conference of August 20, 2026.
The group, which also demanded the unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, said the restructuring exercise should be concluded before May 2027, with elections subsequently conducted under the new constitutional arrangement.
It also insisted on the creation of a united Igbo Region extending to the Atlantic coast, incorporating Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, prospective Anioma, Rivers State and Igbo communities in parts of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Edo and Kogi states.
The position was contained in a statement titled, ‘Igbo Position on the Restructuring of Nigeria,’ dated September 16, 2026, and published in newspapers.
It was signed by Emeritus Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi, President-General of the ILT; Sen. John Azuta-Mbata, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Prof. Dozie Chukwuokolo, Secretary-General, ILT; Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, adviser Igbo delegation; Dr. Katchi Ononuju, deputy leader Igbo delegation; and Prof. Obasi Igwe, leader of Igbo delegation to the Abuja conference.
The organisation said restructuring was necessary to address what it described as the country’s foundational problems, arguing that the 1914 amalgamation was imposed without the consent of the constituent nationalities.
