The Igbo Heroes and Icons Foundation has warned members of the All Progressives Congress against attempting to pressure Nigerians into voting for the party against their conscience in the 2027 elections.

The foundation made the call in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chinedu Nsofor, expressing concern over what it described as increasing threats against citizens and political officeholders who refuse to support the APC.

The group cited a statement attributed to Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru, who reportedly warned newly inaugurated local government chairmen that they could be removed if the APC failed to win their respective areas.

It also referred to reports involving the Kuje Area Council chairman, who was alleged to have told residents to support the APC or leave the council. The chairman later said his remarks had been taken out of context.

Nsofor further cited comments attributed to Yobe State APC Chairman, Muhammad Gadaka, who reportedly advised women to consider divorce if their husbands opposed voting for the APC.

He said political actors should seek votes through their records, competence and policy proposals rather than threats and coercion.

The foundation also called for a national conversation on equity and representation in political leadership, noting that no person of Igbo extraction had occupied the Nigerian presidency since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

IHIF said its call for an Igbo presidency was not based on ethnic entitlement but on fairness, inclusion and the opportunity for all major components of Nigeria to participate meaningfully in national leadership.

The group identified former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as a potential consensus presidential candidate for the Igbo people, while stressing that the 2027 election should ultimately be determined by competence, accountability, inclusion, economic development, security and respect for democratic freedoms.