Coalition is only way to defeat Tinubu in 2027 — Kenneth Okonkwo

Spokesman for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said an opposition coalition remains the only realistic pathway to defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Okonkwo also dismissed the chances of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), unseating Tinubu if he contests the election without a broader alliance involving opposition parties and political forces.

He made the remarks during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media.

According to Okonkwo, Obi would struggle to defeat Tinubu on his own, even with 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,” he said, referring to Tinubu.

Okonkwo argued that Obi would face significant challenges securing enough support in Northern Nigeria if he decided to contest against Tinubu without an opposition coalition.

He cited the outcome of the 2023 presidential election as part of his argument, saying Obi did not secure sufficient support in Kano and other parts of the North during the last election.

“So, 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 Atiku campaign spokesman also questioned the political strength Kwankwaso would bring to an Obi-led ticket, claiming that the former Kano governor had lost influence even in his political stronghold.

“Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost,” Okonkwo said.

His comments come amid renewed efforts by opposition figures and political groups to build a coalition capable of challenging the APC and Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The opposition realignment has seen different political actors advance competing proposals on the preferred platform, presidential candidate and structure for a possible alliance.