Saturday, September 5, 2026 - Spokesman for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said opposition parties will need to form a coalition if they hope to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo also dismissed the chances of Nigeria Democratic
Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi defeating Tinubu if he contests
without a broader opposition alliance.
He made the remarks during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade
Media. According to Okonkwo, Obi would struggle to build enough support across
the country, particularly in northern Nigeria, even if he were to run with
former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
“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’s performance in northern Nigeria
would remain a major obstacle if he contested against Tinubu without a wider
alliance.
“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 questioned the electoral value of Kwankwaso as a potential
running mate. “Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano,
Kwankwaso has lost,” Okonkwo said.
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