Former spokesperson of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo, has opened up on his political strategy for the 2027 general elections while responding to questions on Channels Television’s Hard Copy on Friday night.
When asked if he would work with Peter Obi should the former Labour Party presidential candidate join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Okonkwo declined to give a definitive answer, citing the hypothetical nature of the question. “One, that is a hypothetical question. And I’m reluctant in answering hypothetical questions,” he said.
However, he used the opportunity to outline his political trajectory and the rationale behind his previous and current affiliations.
“But let me tell you my strategy going into 2027. First and foremost, in 2023, we believe that it was the turn of the south. And we battled it. As a matter of fact, I started planning it from 2019. When I entered APC, I made it clear, Ndigbo for Buhari, 2019. Buhari for Ndigbo for 2023,” he stated.
Okonkwo criticized the 2019 Atiku-Obi ticket, explaining why he could not support it: “As at that time, Peter Obi was a vice-presidential candidate to Atiku. And I said I’m not going to support that ticket. Because if I support that ticket, that means the north will have the presidency for 12 years, unbroken.”
He continued: “I am surprised that the same people who were supporting that ticket… Well, Buhari just did four years then… Okay. And then, I now said no. We should allow Buhari to finish his eight years. Okay. Because if you vote Atiku and Obi, that means a northerner transferring power to another northerner. And they will spend 12 years.”
Okonkwo expressed further surprise at the shift in political narrative: “I’m surprised that the same people who were against me then are now again saying that power cannot return to the north after four years.”
He reflected on his support for Peter Obi in 2023, while arguing that had Atiku and Obi won in 2019, it would have blocked any chance for a southeastern presidency in 2023: “In 2023, I campaigned for the same Peter Obi. If Peter Obi and Atiku had won in 2019, there wouldn’t even be a chance for anybody from the southeast to contest the presidency in 2023. Because by 2023, there would be no incumbent. And the only chance that a southeast person would have is when there is no incumbent.”
He concluded by highlighting a critical lesson from the last election cycle: “I have now learned from 2023 that in Nigeria, when you win an election and you don’t have the power of the establishment supporting you, they will take it away from you. Do you know that southwest has never contested any election when there is an incumbent from 1999 to 2027?
Find Verified News At Your fingertips Click The Button Below 👇
