2027: Kenneth Okonkwo Backs Northern Candidate, Dumps Obi Strategy
Ahead of the 2027 presidential elections, actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has made a dramatic shift in political allegiance, declaring support for a northern presidential candidate as the only viable route to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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Okonkwo, who served as spokesperson for Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, announced during a political interview on Tuesday. He warned that fielding another southern candidate in 2027—like Obi—would only hand Tinubu a second term on a platter.
“My strategy this time around is that I am going to support a northerner in 2027. It must be a northerner that the whole north is willing to support,” he said.
⚖️ Atiku or Tambuwal?
Okonkwo mentioned potential candidates such as Atiku Abubakar and Aminu Tambuwal, saying he would back either man if they enjoy unified northern support. He emphasized that experience, national appeal, and electability must guide the coalition’s choice.
“If the north wants Atiku or Tambuwal and they can galvanize support, why not? It has to be strategic. A candidate with experience in the presidency has an edge.”
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❌ Why He Abandoned Peter Obi
Okonkwo parted ways with Labour Party in July 2024, citing unresolved internal crises and leadership shortcomings. While he once backed Obi fervently, he now argues that repeating the 2023 strategy with another southern candidate will only consolidate Tinubu’s grip on power.
“Bringing a fresh southerner against Tinubu—also a southerner—is like giving the ticket directly to him. He’ll win outright,” Okonkwo said.
“Even if a Southeastern candidate wins, they will rig it from him. We must outthink the system, not just repeat emotional choices.”
🔁 Power Rotation and Political Reality
Nigeria operates an informal zoning tradition, rotating power between the North and South. Tinubu, a Southwesterner, succeeded Northern President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. Okonkwo argues that presenting another southerner would violate this unwritten political balance and alienate the northern bloc.
“If you bring someone from the north, no one will pressure him to step down from his mandate. That’s the kind of candidate we need to break the incumbency.”
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🤝 The ADC Alliance and What Lies Ahead
On July 2, 2025, a meeting in Abuja saw major opposition figures—including Atiku, Obi, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai—agree to use the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their joint platform for 2027.
They believe a united front could topple Tinubu, especially given that Atiku and Obi’s combined 2023 votes outnumbered Tinubu’s by over four million.
Yet, Okonkwo warns that numbers alone won’t be enough without strategy and realism.
“Tinubu’s presidency has become incurably bad. It must end. But to do that, we must outmatch him politically and structurally. This isn’t just about popularity—it’s about power.”
🔍 What This Means for 2027
As political realignments intensify, Okonkwo’s statement is a clear call for northern-led opposition and a shift away from southern candidates like Obi, at least for now.
With Tinubu signalling his intention to seek re-election, Nigeria’s political landscape is bracing for a high-stakes power battle, where ethnicity, geography, and strategy may once again determine who leads the country into the next decade.
Stay with Wellnaija for exclusive updates on the 2027 race, behind-the-scenes manoeuvres, and all the drama shaping Nigeria’s political future.