2027: ‘You’ll be held accountable’ – Chekwas Okorie warns South-East govs over pre-election violence

Chief Chekwas Okorie, the founder and national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has cautioned Igbo leaders against the alarming trend of political violence in the South-East geopolitical zone. Okorie, who serves as the Chairman of the Igbo Agenda Dialogue, expressed grave concern over the desperate struggle for political power through force rather than democratic means.

He recalled a letter he sent to President Bola Tinubu in March 2026, urging him to address the brewing anarchy in the nation. Despite his efforts, Okorie admitted that his appeal seemed to fall on deaf ears. He further lamented the audacious statements made by Islamic cleric Sheik Sani Yahaya Jingir, who threatened violence against Nigerians who opposed the Muslim/Muslim presidential ticket of Tinubu and his vice president.

Okorie noted that despite the lack of condemnation from the federal government or security agencies, more political actors have become emboldened to engage in unlawful activities. The situation in the Southeast has escalated to the point where members of opposition parties are unable to hold public gatherings or rallies without facing attacks from heavily armed thugs.

These incidents often result in severe injuries and loss of lives, with security agencies often failing to take any action. Additionally, Okorie highlighted the outrageous fees demanded by the Southeast governments for campaign billboards, which have led to a decline in the visibility of such advertisements. He called on Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum, to convene an emergency meeting of the Southeast governors to address the rapidly deteriorating security situation.

Okorie emphasized that the South-East governors will be held accountable if Igboland descends into an armed conflict. He reminded the audience that, despite the scars of the civil war that ravaged the former Eastern Region half a century ago, the Igbo people have always defended their franchise and will continue to do so in the upcoming 2027 elections.