Only opposition coalition can defeat Tinubu in 2027, Kenneth Okonkwo says

Kenneth Okonkwo says Nigeria’s opposition has only one realistic path to defeating President Bola Tinubu in 2027: unite. The spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign rejected the idea that Peter Obi could unseat Tinubu on his own.

Okonkwo made the comments during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media. He said opposition parties had suffered setbacks in their attempts to build a coalition in 2025, with major figures including Atiku and Obi going forward as presidential candidates of different parties.

“Coalition is the only way out,” Okonkwo said, referring to Tinubu’s approach to retaining power. He argued that Obi could not defeat the president alone, saying, “If Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits.”

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Coalition is the only way out.

Okonkwo also questioned the strength of the ticket involving Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. He said voters in Kano had not accepted Obi in 2023 and would not do so in 2027, while arguing that Kwankwaso had lost influence even in Kano. He had previously criticized Obi in May, saying the former presidential candidate lacked the capacity to lead Nigeria and avoided difficult challenges.

The comments add to the public debate over how opposition parties might challenge Tinubu in the next presidential election. Okonkwo’s position is that separate candidacies would divide the opposition and leave Tinubu with the advantage, while a coalition would offer its best chance of mounting a competitive challenge.

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If Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits.