Kenneth Okonkwo, former presidential spokesperson for the Labour Party, has declared that no single candidate will be able to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Okonkwo stated that the only viable strategy for opposition leaders to mount a serious challenge is through forming a coalition.

His comments come in the wake of several prominent defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Okonkwo suggested that these defections are largely motivated by personal interests, raising concerns that Nigeria may be moving toward a one-party system.

“There will be a coalition in 2027. Whether it’s between Peter Obi and Atiku, I don’t know, but a coalition will be necessary. This is the only option for the opposition if they want to have any meaningful impact,” Okonkwo said. He further emphasized that without such a coalition, Tinubu would likely walk into a second term without significant opposition.

Okonkwo explained that winning the election in Nigeria is not just about securing votes, but about ensuring a strategic alliance among key players. He pointed to the successful efforts of Nigeria's elite in 2014, when they united to challenge former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, as an example of what is necessary to unseat a sitting president. He warned, however, that failure to form a coalition would leave Tinubu uncontested in 2027.

The ongoing wave of defections, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori's recent switch from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, has sparked growing concerns about the stability of Nigeria’s political system. Okonkwo criticized the defections, describing them as “absurd” and accusing those involved of seeking refuge in a “sinking house,” under the misguided belief that the APC would manipulate the 2027 election results in their favor.

As defections continue and the opposition remains divided, many Nigerians are questioning the future of political competition in the country, and whether the 2027 elections will truly offer a challenge to Tinubu’s leadership.

The coming years will determine if opposition parties can unite and effectively contest the ruling party's dominance as the 2027 election approaches.

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