Voting for Peter Obi in 2027 is a vote for Tinubu – Kenneth Okonkwo
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has argued that any votes cast for the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2027 presidential election would ultimately benefit President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an interview with Symfoni TV on Wednesday, Okonkwo said opposition forces must unite behind a single platform to have any realistic chance of defeating the incumbent president.
According to him, political analysts have consistently warned that a divided opposition would only strengthen Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term.
“The reason I said it is that either you’re working for Tinubu directly, in other words, you’re in APC, or you’re working for Tinubu indirectly because when you divide the votes of the coalition and the opposition, you’re still making Tinubu better placed to win,” Okonkwo said.
He criticised Obi’s reported decision to leave the ADC coalition talks, claiming the former Anambra State governor was unwilling to participate in a competitive primary process.
“Nobody forced Peter Obi to enter ADC. He entered on his own, and one week to the end of the closure of the time, he left and gave the reason.
“You can’t compete in a primary, and you want to be a politician. You want to be the president of a challenged country, and you’re running away from challenge,” he said.
The former Labour Party spokesman also claimed that Anambra South Senator, Victor Umeh, had previously suggested that the South-East’s best opportunity to produce a president would be through a political alliance with northern leaders.
“When we were all entering ADC, Victor Umeh made it clear and spoke to me directly that the only chance the Igbo people have is to align with the North and for our brother Peter Obi to be a vice president,” Okonkwo claimed.
He further claimed that Umeh told him that Obi was reluctant to accept such political advice.
“I told him, ‘Have you told Obi?’ He said yes, but that Peter Obi is very stubborn. That if you tell him anything, he would not believe but would continue to try,” Okonkwo said.
Okonkwo maintained that opposition supporters should carefully consider the implications of their political choices ahead of the next general election.
“Let me tell you the truth, in 2027, anybody voting any vote whatsoever to Peter Obi, you’re voting for Tinubu, and don’t say that I didn’t tell you,” he stated.
