Former Labour Party (LP) marketing campaign spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo has stirred political waters forward of the 2027 common elections, declaring that President Bola Tinubu is more likely to win re-election if the newly adopted African Democratic Congress (ADC) presents a southern presidential candidate.
Talking on Politics Right now, a primetime political present on Channels Tv, Okonkwo argued that solely a powerful northern candidate can realistically unseat the incumbent.
His feedback come days after the opposition coalition confirmed the ADC as their unified platform for 2027.
Although he didn’t particularly point out Peter Obi, nevertheless, Obi stays among the many high candidates from southern Nigeria being tipped by many to emerge as ADC candidate.
Okonkwo mentioned, “My technique this time round is that I’m going to assist a northerner in 2027,” Okonkwo mentioned. “If the entire north is keen to assist an Atiku, why not? If it’s Tambuwal, why not?”
Based on him, fielding one other southern candidate would successfully hand Tinubu a second time period, calling it a tactical blunder.
“Anyone telling you to convey a contemporary southerner to compete towards Tinubu, a southerner, is making an attempt to zone the ticket to Tinubu — and Tinubu will win outright,” he acknowledged.
“In case you convey any individual from the south-east, even when he wins, they’ll steal it from him.”
Okonkwo additionally revisited his claims that Peter Obi, the LP candidate within the 2023 elections, had really gained the vote however was denied by what he referred to as systemic rigging.
“Peter Obi gained the election in 2023, they usually stole it from us. In case you do it once more, they’ll nonetheless steal it as a result of there is no such thing as a incumbent to defend the victory,” he insisted.
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He argued that in Nigeria’s political terrain, solely a northern candidate would have the regional leverage and institutional backing to withstand such stress, particularly towards a southern incumbent like Tinubu.
Okonkwo additionally dismissed claims that backing a northern candidate can be unjust.
“Whoever wins a major election will take it for 4 years. The place is the injustice? It has occurred earlier than.”
The actor-turned-politician parted methods with Peter Obi and resigned from the Labour Party in July 2024, citing management disarray and Obi’s indecision. Now aligned with the rising ADC coalition, he seems to be championing a strategic realignment forward of 2027.
The ADC, now a hub for opposition forces, is predicted to subject a presidential candidate subsequent 12 months because it makes an attempt to wrest energy from the APC-led federal authorities.
As Nigeria’s political panorama continues to shift, Okonkwo’s remarks add a contemporary layer of controversy to the continued debate over regional rotation, equity, and electability.
