Afenifere, Igbo forum back Tinubu and Hamzat for 2027, pledge Lagos voter drive

A Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, and the Ndi Igbo Unity Forum have agreed to work on stronger Yoruba-Igbo relations in Lagos, and to back President Bola Tinubu's second-term ambition and the 2027 governorship bid of Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

Chief Deji Wellington, Afenifere's Lagos State chairman, announced the outcome in a statement on Wednesday after a meeting with Igbo community leaders. He said the aim was to restore the cordial relationship the two groups once shared and to change the current narrative.

Wellington said Igbo residents should see Lagos as home and work peacefully with their host community. He urged them to build good relations with the Lagos State Government and, in turn, protect their businesses, investments and property.

He said closer ties between the Igbo community, other residents and the government would promote understanding, security and peaceful coexistence. Residents should be able to pursue their economic interests without fear or hostility, he added.

Support for Tinubu and Hamzat

According to Wellington, the Igbo leaders at the meeting promised to join Afenifere in rallying support for the President's second term and for Hamzat as Lagos governor in 2027. He said the forum would take the campaign to local government areas, wards and Igbo communities across the state.

Hamzat is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lagos governorship. Wellington said the partnership would deepen political cooperation and help create a more peaceful and inclusive state.

The statement did not give details of how the groups plan to mobilise voters, or say which Igbo leaders attended the meeting.

What happens next

The groups said they will begin taking their message to wards and local government areas. For traders and residents in Lagos, the pledge points to a push for calmer relations between host communities and Igbo businesses as the 2027 campaigns gather pace.