Former Labour Party spokesperson and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has said that voting for Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election would ultimately benefit President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an interview with Symfoni TV on Wednesday, Okonkwo argued that opposition parties must unite behind a single candidate to stand a realistic chance of defeating the incumbent president.
According to him, a divided opposition would only strengthen Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term in office.
“The reason I said it is that either you’re working for Tinubu directly, in other words, you’re in the 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,” he said.
Okonkwo also criticised Obi’s reported withdrawal from coalition talks involving the ADC, claiming the former Governor of Anambra State was unwilling to participate in a competitive primary election.
“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 stated.
He also alleged that Anambra South Senator, Victor Umeh, had previously suggested that the South-East’s best chance of producing a president was through an alliance with northern political interests, with Obi serving as vice president.
Okonkwo concluded by warning opposition supporters that backing Obi in 2027 could indirectly aid Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“Anybody voting any vote whatsoever to Peter Obi, you’re voting for Tinubu, and don’t say that I didn’t tell you,” he said.
