A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has said only a united opposition coalition can successfully challenge and defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo, who spoke in an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, argued that no single opposition candidate could unseat the incumbent President without a broad coalition of political forces across the country.
He specifically expressed doubts over the chances of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, should he decide to contest the 2027 election without a wider opposition alliance.
According to the former spokesman for the ADC presidential candidate, Obi would struggle to defeat Tinubu even with the former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as his running mate.
“Coalition is the only way out. So you don’t come down with a man who has told you from the beginning that power is not taken à la carte; you fight for it, you grab it, you snatch it, you run away with it,” Okonkwo said, referring to President Tinubu.
He maintained that Obi could face significant challenges in securing the level of support required to defeat the ruling party, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Okonkwo argued that the political realities in Kano and other parts of the North made it difficult for Obi to independently build the electoral strength needed for a successful presidential bid.
“If Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits. 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,” he said.
The actor-turned-politician stressed that opposition parties must put aside individual ambitions and work towards building a formidable alliance capable of presenting a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He warned that fragmentation within the opposition could hand the APC an advantage in the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo’s comments come amid growing political realignments and discussions over the possibility of a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The call for a united opposition front has continued to dominate political discourse, with several political leaders and stakeholders expressing divergent views over the prospects of individual candidates and political parties challenging President Tinubu for a second term.
As preparations gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections, the ability of opposition parties to forge a common platform and present a consensus candidate may play a crucial role in determining the competitiveness of the presidential race.
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