ENUGU — Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and National Coordinator of ADC Like-Minds, Comrade Adolphus Ude, has issued a strong warning against any attempt to manipulate election outcomes in the South-East, insisting that the region will resist electoral malpractice.

Ude made the declaration in a press release on Wednesday while reacting to recent comments credited to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who urged Igbos to adopt a “strategic” approach by supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The Deputy Speaker, who represents Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, had reportedly advised voters not to “waste” their votes, but to invest them where they would count politically.

Responding, Ude described the remarks as inappropriate and provocative, stressing that the South-East would not tolerate any form of electoral manipulation in 2027. He declared the five states of the region a “no-go area” for election riggers, warning that the will of the people must be respected.

The ADC chieftain further challenged the Deputy Speaker to account for tangible benefits attracted to Abia State and the South-East since assuming office, arguing that political loyalty must be matched with measurable development and inclusion.

On the call for political alliances, particularly between the South-East and South-West, Ude maintained that historical experiences had bred mistrust, citing past political and economic decisions he said adversely affected the Igbo people. He also raised concerns over alleged marginalisation of the South-East in national infrastructure distribution and political appointments.

Ude referenced the destruction of Igbo-owned properties in Lagos after the 2023 elections, the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, and the exclusion of the South-East from key federal projects, including the coastal highway, as issues he said require decisive political engagement rather than electoral rhetoric.

He concluded by asserting that the South-East would not support any political arrangement that, in his view, perpetuates marginalisation, adding that voters would make their choices based on equity, justice, and development.

Meanwhile, Ude also called for transparency in the forthcoming governorship election in Enugu State, stressing that the process must reflect the genuine wishes of the people. He warned that residents of the state could not afford another administration that would impose excessive economic burdens on citizens, urging electoral authorities and stakeholders to ensure a free, fair, and credible poll.

According to him, transparent elections remain the cornerstone of democracy and the surest path to sustainable development and public trust.