Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has claimed that supporting Peter Obi in the 2027 elections is effectively a vote for President Bola Tinubu. Speaking in a video interview with Symfoni on Wednesday, June 3, Okonkwo argued that the shifting political sentiment from Obi's 2023 campaign to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) creates a challenging landscape for opposition.
Okonkwo's Claims on Obi's NDC Move
According to the former Labour Party (LP) member, it is deja vu for Obi, the 2027 candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), as he will not win the election. Okonkwo explained that the Obi sentiment witnessed in 2023 has shifted to the APC, President Tinubu's party. He stated: "It is either you are working for Tinubu directly; in other words, you are in APC, or you are working for Tinubu indirectly. Because when you divide the votes of the coalition and the opposition, you are still making Tinubu to be better placed to win."
Okonkwo criticized Obi's decision to leave ADC, saying: "Nobody forced you, Peter Obi, to enter into ADC. You entered on your own. And one week to the end of the closure of the time, you left, and you gave the reason. What reason did you give? You can't compete in primary. And you want to be a politician, and you can't compete in primary." He warned that in 2027, any vote for Obi is effectively a vote for Tinubu.
APC Advantage Through Defections
Giving an example with Enugu state, Okonkwo claimed that the LP had a clean sweep in the 2023 elections, but many of its candidates have since joined the APC. He noted: "The House of Assembly member we voted for has joined APC. The House of Representatives member we voted for because of Peter Obi has joined APC. The gubernatorial candidate who, I believe, was rigged out, has joined the APC." He argued that with the APC poaching politicians who gained votes from Obi's support, the ruling party has an edge in the 2027 elections.
Okonkwo's comments come amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He previously advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to allow former President Goodluck Jonathan to enjoy his retirement, rather than luring him into the race. Okonkwo emphasized that Jonathan should maintain his status as an international statesman.
