2027 Presidency: Okonkwo Claims Opposition Candidates Have Backed Atiku

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that opposition presidential candidates have agreed to support the former Vice President in the 2027 presidential election.

Okonkwo made the claim during an interview with Channels Television, where he explained that the opposition had come together and settled on Atiku as its preferred presidential candidate.

According to him, the decision was part of a broader opposition coalition that adopted the ADC as its political platform on July 2, 2026.

Okonkwo said several prominent opposition figures, including the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, were present when the coalition’s decision was reached.

He argued that the agreement gave Atiku the standing to challenge President Bola Tinubu to a presidential debate, describing the former Vice President as the leader of the opposition.

Okonkwo also addressed the political development surrounding Peter Obi and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), which the former Labour Party presidential candidate reportedly joined after leaving the coalition platform.

He claimed that the NDC is legally recognised as a political association rather than a political party based on a court judgment, adding that the matter is currently subject to an appeal.

The ADC chieftain further criticised Obi’s decision to leave the coalition and move to the NDC, alleging that the former Anambra State governor had been persuaded to abandon the ADC platform.

Okonkwo described Obi’s current political position within the NDC as problematic and alleged that the move had placed him in a difficult political situation.

He maintained that the opposition’s decision to adopt the ADC was reached collectively and that the presence of major political figures at the meeting demonstrated the broad nature of the coalition.

The development comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition figures continuing efforts to build a platform capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Atiku emerged as the ADC’s presidential candidate after the party’s primary, while former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi was subsequently confirmed as his running mate.

Okonkwo’s latest comments are, however, his own characterization of the opposition’s position, and the extent to which all opposition presidential candidates have formally agreed to support Atiku remains a matter of political debate.