Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, has argued that opposition parties must unite behind a single candidate if they hope to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo dismissed the possibility of Peter Obi defeating Tinubu on his own, insisting that the opposition would be taking a major political risk by entering the election divided.
He spoke during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, where he also criticised the proposed Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso ticket.
According to Okonkwo, Obi’s candidacy, even with Kwankwaso as his running mate, would not provide the political strength required to unseat the incumbent president.
“Coalition is the only way out,” he said, arguing that the opposition needed to consolidate its support rather than allow several candidates to split the anti-APC vote.
Okonkwo claimed that Tinubu would easily defeat Obi if the former Anambra governor contested without a broader opposition alliance.
“So, if Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits,” he said.
He also questioned Obi’s electoral prospects in Kano, saying the state’s voters had rejected him during the 2023 presidential election and would not support him in 2027.
“Will Kano people accept Peter Obi? In 2023, when we had the opportunity, they did not accept him. In 2027, they will not accept him,” Okonkwo said.
The former Labour Party chieftain also dismissed the political relevance of Rabiu Kwankwaso to an Obi-led presidential ticket, claiming that the former Kano governor had lost influence even in his home state.
“Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost,” he said.
Okonkwo’s comments come amid renewed attempts by opposition politicians and groups to forge a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 elections.
Previous efforts to establish a broad opposition coalition faltered in 2025 as major contenders, including Obi and Atiku, pursued presidential ambitions under different political platforms.
The G100 Opposition Coalition, led by former APC chieftain Salihu Lukman, has recently renewed efforts to persuade opposition parties and political actors to support a single presidential candidate against the APC.
Okonkwo had also criticised Obi in May, questioning his capacity to address Nigeria’s economic and developmental challenges.
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