Tinubu, Atiku, and Obi to Step Aside in 2027
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Former Labour Party (LP) chieftain and Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside from contesting in Nigeria’s next presidential election.
Okonkwo, who was a spokesman for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday. He argued that Nigerian leaders must take their mandates seriously and fight decisively for them, emphasizing that electoral victories should not be treated with levity.
“I said it, and I maintain it because in Nigeria, people will not give you their mandate and you treat it with levity,” Okonkwo stated. “You must do everything decisively to secure it. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, you will not only win an election, but you also have to fight for your mandate.”
Despite his previous support for Obi, Okonkwo distanced himself from the former Anambra governor’s future political ambitions. “Whatever happened in 2023 should stay in 2023,” he said, ruling out backing Obi in the next general election.
Resignation from Labour Party
Okonkwo also confirmed his resignation from the Labour Party, citing internal party conflicts. He had joined LP after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, but now, he says, he is politically unaffiliated.
While ruling out a return to APC, he left the door open under one condition: “I will be the first person to admit if the APC changes today and is doing well for Nigeria.” However, he criticized the ruling party for failing to address the country’s pressing challenges.
Political Landscape Ahead of 2027
With Nigeria’s next general elections still years away, Okonkwo’s comments add to the ongoing debate about the need for fresh leadership in the country. His remarks signal growing dissatisfaction with the established political figures who have dominated Nigeria’s electoral scene in recent years.
