Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, has said Peter Obi would struggle to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if he contests without the backing of a broader opposition coalition.
Okonkwo made the remarks during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, where he argued that opposition parties must unite behind a single candidate if they hope to unseat the incumbent president.
He dismissed the possibility of Obi defeating Tinubu on his own, saying the former Anambra State governor would face significant challenges in securing support across northern Nigeria.
“If Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits,” Okonkwo said, while questioning whether Obi would receive sufficient support from voters in Kano and other parts of the North.
He also argued that Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election showed the difficulty he could face in winning widespread northern support in another contest against Tinubu.
Okonkwo further downplayed the political strength of former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who has been linked to possible opposition political arrangements, claiming that Kwankwaso had lost influence even in his home state.
According to him, the opposition’s best opportunity lies in forming a coalition capable of presenting a united challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
His comments come as opposition figures continue to explore possible alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with questions over whether major opposition contenders can set aside individual ambitions and rally around a common candidate.
