Voting for Peter Obi in 2027 Is a Vote for Tinubu — Kenneth Okonkwo

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has argued that any vote cast for Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2027 presidential election would ultimately benefit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking during an interview with Symfoni TV on Wednesday, Okonkwo said opposition forces must unite under a single platform to stand any realistic chance of defeating the incumbent president.

He stated that a divided opposition would only strengthen Tinubu’s re-election prospects, warning that split votes would work in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The reason I said it is that either you’re working for Tinubu directly, in other words, you’re in APC, or you’re working for Tinubu indirectly because when you divide the votes of the coalition and the opposition, you’re still making Tinubu better placed to win,” he said.

Okonkwo criticised Obi’s alleged exit from coalition arrangements within the ADC, claiming it reflected reluctance to engage in a competitive political primary process.

He added that political competition requires participation in structured party processes, arguing that avoiding such contests weakens opposition unity ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former Labour Party spokesman also referenced past political discussions involving Anambra South Senator Victor Umeh, who he claimed suggested that the South-East’s best chance of producing a president would be through a political alliance with northern leaders.

According to him, such alliances were discussed as strategic pathways for regional political advancement, though he insisted Obi had been unwilling to adopt that approach.

Okonkwo maintained that opposition supporters must think carefully about the consequences of a divided front, insisting that unity remains the only viable path to electoral victory.

“Let me tell you the truth, in 2027, anybody voting any vote whatsoever for Peter Obi, you’re voting for Tinubu,” he said.