A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo has argued that support for Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election could inadvertently boost the re-election prospects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during an interview, Okonkwo stressed the importance of opposition unity ahead of the next general election, warning that a fragmented opposition would only strengthen the ruling party’s chances at the polls.
According to him, whether intentionally or otherwise, political actors who undermine efforts to build a broad opposition coalition ultimately benefit the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Tinubu.
“Either you are working for Tinubu directly as a member of the APC, or you are working for him indirectly. Once opposition votes are divided, Tinubu becomes better positioned to win,” he said.
Okonkwo also criticised Obi’s reported withdrawal from coalition discussions within the ADC, maintaining that the former Anambra governor willingly joined the process but later exited before its conclusion.
He suggested that Obi’s departure reflected a reluctance to participate in a competitive primary election, arguing that aspiring leaders must be willing to subject themselves to internal democratic contests.
The former Labour Party spokesman further claimed that Victor Umeh had previously expressed the view that the South-East’s most realistic path to the presidency would involve collaboration with northern political interests, including the possibility of Obi accepting a vice-presidential position.
According to Okonkwo, Umeh allegedly informed him that Obi had been advised along those lines but was unwilling to embrace the proposal.
Reiterating his position, Okonkwo urged opposition supporters to adopt what he described as a pragmatic approach to the 2027 elections, insisting that votes cast outside a united opposition platform could weaken efforts to unseat the ruling party.
“Anybody voting for Peter Obi in 2027 is effectively helping Tinubu. Don’t say you were not told,” he stated.
His remarks come amid ongoing consultations among opposition politicians over possible alliances and coalition arrangements ahead of the 2027 presidential election.