Veteran actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has declared that defeating President Bola Tinubu in 2027 will require a bold, strategic move — and that move must come from the North.
“If Tinubu had done well, I would have gone home and slept,” Okonkwo said during a fiery interview on ARISE News.
“But with the economy in chaos, insecurity rising, and the Muslim-Muslim ticket still in play, we cannot afford to give him 8 years.”
The former Labour Party campaign spokesperson believes the only viable path to power is to present a Northern candidate with a national vote bank strong enough to outmatch a sitting Southern president.
He argued that the terrain heading into 2027 is far more rugged than it was in 2023.
A Changing Political Map
In 2023, there was no incumbent, and power was still lodged in the North. But 2027 is different.
“Power was in the North. There was no incumbent. And we had a viable alternative platform in the Labour Party,” Okonkwo explained.
Now, Tinubu sits in Aso Rock. He holds the keys to state power, and Okonkwo isn’t blind to the weight of incumbency.
“This is a man who has publicly said he knows how to grab, snatch, and run with power,” Okonkwo said, referencing Tinubu’s pre-election speech.
He questioned the logic of fielding a fresh Southern challenger.
“Why would you take a fresh candidate from the South-East without backing from the military or security forces to face a sitting president from the South-West?”
To him, it would be like bringing a blade to a gunfight.
He cited Tinubu’s own strategy in 2015, when he partnered with Muhammadu Buhari.
“Buhari gets 12 million votes only when he runs against Southern candidates,” Okonkwo said.
“In 2007, against Yar’Adua, he got 7 million. Tinubu knew he couldn’t beat Jonathan, so he brought Buhari.”
That political playbook, he believes, must now be adapted to fight the same power that authored it.
ADC Is Open, But I Know What Works – Okonkwo
Although Okonkwo is now with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), he clarified that his views are personal.
“The ADC is not zoning to the North. That’s my strategy. The party has committed to free and fair primaries where everyone can contest,” he said.
The ADC, according to him, has a four-year transition blueprint if elected. But zoning, for now, remains open.
“Political realism, not idealism, must guide us now. I do not believe we’re going to have free, fair, credible elections in 2027,” he stated bluntly.
Do you agree that zoning the ticket to the North is the only way to unseat the incumbent? What alternative strategies do you see working?
“Illegal, Irresponsible, Illiterate” – Okonkwo Slams Edo Governor Over Obi Comments
On another front, Okonkwo took aim at Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State for threatening Peter Obi’s right to enter Edo freely.
Okpebholo had claimed Obi’s visit to Edo led to unrest, and warned, “If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame.”
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15 million. Where did he get it from?” the governor added.
Okonkwo didn’t hold back in his response.
“What the governor said is unconstitutional, illegal, irresponsible, and largely illiterate,” he declared.
He cited the 1999 Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of movement.
“Every citizen of Nigeria shall be entitled to move freely… and to reside in any part thereof,” he quoted.
“No citizen can be expelled from Edo State, or denied entry into it.”
He viewed the governor’s comments as both a political threat and ethnic intimidation.
“It’s a direct threat to Igbo people. It’s an exhibition of being an Igbo hater. And that should stop,” he said.
“If They Hit Once, Hit Back Ten Times”
Asked whether these threats reveal Peter Obi’s rising political threat, Okonkwo disagreed.
“What it shows is that they believe they can assault and insult Peter Obi and get away with it,” he replied.
He urged Obi to stand strong.
“If anybody gives you one, give the person ten, especially when he’s a sitting governor. He doesn’t have any other remedy whatsoever,” he advised.
He also took a jab at Edo APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe.
“Sorry, I don’t give credence to people like that. He’s as inconsequential as his face looks,” Okonkwo said.
Due to constitutional immunity, Okonkwo acknowledged that legal action against the governor was not feasible for now.
“It’s a criminal offence to threaten any citizen’s life. But unfortunately, he is enjoying immunity,” he added.
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