The spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has urged opposition parties and political leaders to unite under a broad coalition, saying this is the only realistic way to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo argued that a divided opposition could split votes among several candidates and ultimately give Tinubu an advantage, regardless of the individual strength of the contenders.
He made the remarks during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, shared on YouTube on Thursday.
According to him, the opposition needs to put aside individual ambitions and work together if it wants to present a formidable challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress and prevent the opposition vote from being fragmented.
“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, apparently referring to Tinubu.
Okonkwo maintained that even Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, would struggle to defeat Tinubu if he chose to contest without the support of other opposition forces.
“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.
He also dismissed the political relevance of Rabiu Kwankwaso, saying the former Kano State governor had lost some of his influence, including in his home state.
“Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost,” Okonkwo added.
Obi is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, while Kwankwaso is his running mate on the party’s ticket.
The call for opposition unity comes amid previous efforts to bring major opposition figures and parties together ahead of the 2027 election. However, those efforts suffered setbacks as key figures, including Atiku and Obi, proceeded with separate political arrangements.
Okonkwo’s argument is that without a common platform capable of pooling the opposition’s support across different regions and political blocs, competing candidates could divide the anti-incumbency vote and make it easier for Tinubu to retain power.
The former Labour Party chieftain had also criticised Obi in May, questioning his capacity to lead the country and accusing him of avoiding difficult challenges.