Actor turned politician and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has argued that a vote for Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election would ultimately benefit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Okonkwo made the assertion while discussing the prospects of opposition parties ahead of the next general election. According to him, the opposition must unite behind a single candidate if it hopes to unseat the ruling party in 2027.
The former spokesperson for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign said Nigeria’s opposition risks repeating the outcome of the last election if votes are split among multiple candidates. He argued that a fragmented opposition would increase the chances of President Tinubu securing a second term in office.
Okonkwo maintained that the political realities of Nigeria’s electoral system make coalition building essential for any opposition movement seeking to challenge the ruling government. He urged opposition leaders to prioritize national interests and work towards a common front ahead of the 2027 polls.
His remarks come amid growing discussions about possible alliances among opposition parties and political figures ahead of the next election cycle. Several politicians and political groups have recently called for greater cooperation among opposition parties to strengthen their chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The comments are also notable given Okonkwo’s previous association with Obi and the Labour Party during the 2023 election campaign. Since then, he has been vocal about the need for broader political collaboration among opposition stakeholders.
Neither Obi nor his supporters had publicly responded to Okonkwo’s latest remarks as of the time of filing this report.
Political analysts say debates over opposition unity are likely to intensify as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 presidential election, which remains more than a year away. The discussions are expected to shape the strategies and alliances that emerge in the run-up to the polls.
Okonkwo’s statement adds to the growing conversation about whether Nigeria’s opposition can present a united challenge to the incumbent administration in the next general election.
