Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, has argued that opposition parties must unite under a coalition if they want to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo made the comments during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media published on YouTube on Thursday.
According to him, the opposition’s chances of taking power from the ruling party would be significantly weakened if major opposition figures contest separately.
Okonkwo specifically questioned the possibility of Peter Obi defeating Tinubu without the backing of a wider opposition alliance.
Obi is currently the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Rabiu Kwankwaso is his running mate.
Okonkwo argued that Obi would face significant electoral challenges if he entered the contest without the support of other major opposition forces.
He also dismissed the political strength of Kwankwaso, claiming that the former Kano State governor had lost influence even in his political base.
The comments come after attempts by opposition politicians to establish a common platform ahead of the 2027 election encountered difficulties in 2025.
Although discussions around a coalition involved prominent figures including Atiku and Obi, the emergence of both politicians as presidential candidates of separate parties has complicated efforts to present a united opposition ticket.
Okonkwo maintained that a coordinated opposition arrangement remained the strongest strategy for challenging Tinubu.
The latest comments are not the first time Okonkwo has questioned Obi’s suitability for the presidency.
In May, he reportedly argued that Obi lacked the capacity to lead Nigeria, accusing the former Anambra State governor of avoiding difficult challenges.
READ MORE: NDC Challenges INEC Over 10 Anambra Candidates Published for 2027 Poll
His latest remarks have further highlighted the divisions among opposition figures as political parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
With Tinubu seeking another term and several opposition figures positioning themselves for the presidency, the possibility of a broad opposition alliance remains a major issue in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The debate centres on whether opposition parties can overcome their individual ambitions and agree on a common candidate capable of mounting a serious challenge to the incumbent.
For now, however, the emergence of separate presidential candidacies suggests that achieving such a coalition could remain difficult.
