Veteran politician Kenneth Okonkwo has warned that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will easily secure re-election in 2027 if Nigeria’s opposition parties fail to form a united coalition.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s *Sunday Politics*, Okonkwo expressed strong confidence that a coalition would eventually emerge, although he admitted uncertainty about who would lead it.
“Heading into 2027, I’m convinced there will be a coalition. Whether it will be between Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, I cannot say. But one thing is clear — the opposition’s only real chance to make an impact is through unity,” he stated.
When pressed on the consequences of a failed coalition effort, Okonkwo was blunt: “If they don’t come together, Tinubu will simply stroll back into office.”
He argued that no single candidate can defeat Tinubu in the current political climate, noting, “In Nigeria today, it’s not enough to win elections; you must also *secure* your victory.”
Drawing parallels to the 2015 election, Okonkwo emphasized that if the political elite rally together as they did to unseat former President Goodluck Jonathan, Tinubu could be defeated in 2027.
On Mass Defections:
Addressing the wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Okonkwo claimed that many politicians are switching sides out of a misguided belief that the APC will manipulate election outcomes in their favor.
“It’s absurd — people are rushing into a sinking house thinking it will offer them shelter,” he remarked.
Okonkwo also reiterated his resignation from the Labour Party but stressed that he has not joined any other political party. He explained that he prefers to carefully study the political landscape before making his next move.
Looking ahead, he said, his focus remains on advocating for a grand coalition of all opposition parties to challenge the APC’s grip on power in 2027.
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