Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesman for the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Council, has weighed in on the ongoing political discourse surrounding the presidency and the question of tenure.
With Nigeria’s 2027 elections already stirring debate, Okonkwo offered a clear-eyed perspective on what he described as the realities of political strategy in the current climate.
In his view, politicians must be honest with themselves and the electorate about what is feasible within the country’s sensitive regional and power-sharing dynamics.
He emphasized that, at this point in Nigeria’s political journey, any candidate positioning themselves for an eight-year term especially from the South would be making a grave miscalculation.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News from 6:13, he stated, “It is purely political strategy, there is nothing hidden about it because every politician would want to complete his two terms if he has the opportunity. As it stands today, a southerner has taken four years. It will be political suicide for you to come and say you will do eight years. Nobody will vote for you, not even from the South or the North.”
This statement reflects a pragmatic understanding of the balancing act often required in Nigeria’s democratic system, particularly the informal power rotation between the North and South.
Okonkwo suggests that acknowledging the political reality of the moment and adjusting strategies accordingly is not just smart but necessary for any candidate seeking broad national support.
While he did not endorse any specific party or candidate, his remarks underline the importance of political honesty and strategic thinking in a country where regional equity remains a sensitive and influential factor in leadership choices.
