Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has delivered a scathing assessment of Peter Obi's 2027 presidential ambitions, declaring that the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate stands no chance against President Bola Tinubu without a broad opposition coalition and warning that Tinubu will "eat him like biscuits" if he contests alone. Okonkwo, a prominent figure in the opposition political space, made the remarks during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, where he dismissed the viability of an Obi-led ticket, even with former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. His comments, which have reverberated across the political landscape, come at a critical juncture as opposition parties grapple with the perennial challenge of unity ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo, who serves as the voice of the Atiku Abubakar campaign, was unequivocal in his assessment of the political arithmetic required to unseat Tinubu. "Coalition is the only way out," he declared, stressing that the opposition cannot afford to approach the election in a fragmented manner. He painted a stark picture of the battle ahead, describing Tinubu as a political fighter who understands that power is not taken "à la carte" but must be fought for, grabbed, snatched, and run away with. According to Okonkwo, the incumbent president's political acumen and determination make him a formidable opponent that no single opposition candidate can overcome alone. "So you don't come down with a man who has told you from the beginning that power is not taken à la carte; you fight for it, you grab it, you snatch it, you run away with it," he said, referring to Tinubu.
The core of Okonkwo's argument rests on the electoral math of northern Nigeria, particularly the critical state of Kano, which he identified as a major obstacle for Obi. "So, if Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits," Okonkwo said, employing a metaphor that has since gone viral. He then posed a direct question: "Will Kano people accept Peter Obi?" He answered his own question by referencing Obi's performance in the 2023 presidential election, where the former Labour Party candidate failed to secure significant support in the state. "In 2023, when we had the opportunity, they did not accept him. In 2027, they will not accept him," Okonkwo predicted.
Okonkwo also sought to debunk the notion that Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and a political force in the North-West, could deliver the state for Obi. "Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost," he said, dismissing the political influence of the NDC's vice-presidential candidate. This assessment is particularly significant given that Kwankwaso's political base in Kano was seen as a potential asset for the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket. Okonkwo's dismissal of Kwankwaso's political relevance suggests a deep-seated skepticism about the viability of the NDC ticket in the North.
The spokesperson's comments come amid renewed efforts by opposition figures to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. The G100 Opposition Coalition, a group led by Salihu Lukman, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has commenced fresh attempts to woo opposition parties to rally behind a single presidential candidate to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections. However, previous attempts to forge a coalition in 2025 suffered setbacks as major contenders, including Atiku and Obi, emerged as presidential candidates of different parties, fragmenting the opposition once again.
Okonkwo's remarks have drawn attention to the deep divisions within the opposition and the challenges of building a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress. His warning that Obi's solo run would be futile echoes a broader sentiment among political analysts who have argued that the opposition's inability to present a single candidate in 2023 contributed to Tinubu's victory. In the 2023 election, the combined votes of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi exceeded the total votes won by Tinubu, but their failure to unite allowed the APC candidate to secure the presidency with a plurality of the votes.
Okonkwo also addressed the broader context of the opposition's fragmentation, noting that the failure to form a coalition in 2025 had already set the stage for a difficult contest in 2027. He argued that the opposition parties must overcome their differences and present a united front if they are to have any realistic chance of defeating Tinubu. "Coalition is the only way out," he reiterated, stressing that the opposition cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of 2023.
The spokesperson's comments have also sparked a debate about the viability of the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket and the broader strategy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Some political observers have argued that Okonkwo's remarks reflect a calculated attempt to undermine Obi's candidacy and position Atiku as the leader of the opposition coalition. Others have suggested that his warning about the northern electorate's reluctance to support Obi is a realistic assessment of the political dynamics in the region.
As the 2027 election approaches, the debate over coalition-building is likely to intensify. The opposition parties face a critical choice: they can either unite behind a single candidate and present a formidable challenge to Tinubu, or they can remain divided and risk another defeat. Okonkwo's warning that Tinubu will "eat Obi like biscuits" if he runs alone serves as a stark reminder of the stakes involved and the need for strategic unity.
For now, the ball is in the court of the opposition parties. Whether they can overcome their differences and forge a coalition capable of defeating Tinubu remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the 2027 election promises to be a fiercely contested battle, and the outcome will depend largely on the opposition's ability to present a united front against a determined incumbent. As Okonkwo put it, the opposition must be prepared to fight for power, grab it, snatch it, and run away with it—or risk being devoured like biscuits.
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