Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, has said opposition parties must form a strong coalition to stand a realistic chance of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo made the remarks during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, shared on YouTube on Thursday.
He also dismissed the possibility of Peter Obi defeating Tinubu if he contests the election without the backing of a broader opposition alliance.
According to Okonkwo, previous efforts by opposition parties to form a coalition in 2025 were unsuccessful, as major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Obi, eventually emerged as presidential candidates on different party platforms.
He argued that the opposition could only unseat the incumbent by presenting a united front, insisting that individual candidates would struggle to defeat Tinubu.
“Coalition is the only way out,” Okonkwo said, while referring to Tinubu’s approach to political power.
He further claimed that Obi would face significant challenges if he contested against Tinubu alone, particularly in northern states.
“So, if Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits,” Okonkwo said.
He also questioned Obi’s prospects in Kano, recalling the former Anambra State governor’s performance in the state during the 2023 presidential election.
“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 added.
Okonkwo also criticised Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is Obi’s running mate on the Nigeria Democratic Congress ticket, claiming that the former Kano State governor had lost political influence even in his home state.
“Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost,” he said.
Obi is currently the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, with Kwankwaso serving as his running mate.
Okonkwo had previously criticised Obi in May, arguing that he lacked the capacity to lead Nigeria and accusing him of avoiding difficult challenges.
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