African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has said that support for Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election could end up benefiting President Bola Tinubu, arguing that a divided opposition would make it easier for the incumbent to secure another term in office.
Okonkwo made the remark during an interview on Wednesday, where he spoke about ongoing efforts by opposition figures to build a united front ahead of the next general election. According to him, opposition parties and politicians must come together under a single platform if they hope to challenge the ruling party successfully in 2027.
He argued that when opposition votes are spread across different candidates, the ruling party stands to gain the most. For this reason, he maintained that any political move capable of weakening a united opposition would indirectly improve Tinubu’s chances of victory.
The former Labour Party spokesperson also spoke on Peter Obi’s involvement in coalition discussions linked to the ADC. He claimed that Obi initially joined the talks but later withdrew before the process was completed. Okonkwo said the former Anambra State governor was unwilling to participate in a competitive primary election and suggested that leadership ambitions should be tested through open contests.
He further alleged that Anambra South Senator Victor Umeh had previously expressed the view that the South-East’s best opportunity of producing a president would come through an alliance with northern political leaders. According to Okonkwo, Umeh believed Obi should consider such a political arrangement to improve his chances of attaining national leadership.
Okonkwo also claimed that Obi was not receptive to advice urging him to adopt that path. He said political realities often require compromise and strategic alliances, especially in a country as politically diverse as Nigeria.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 election continue to gather momentum, Okonkwo urged opposition supporters to carefully assess the likely impact of their choices.
He insisted that unity among opposition parties remains the strongest route to challenging the ruling APC and preventing another Tinubu victory.