Kenneth Okonkwo Urges Tinubu, Obi, and Atiku to Step Aside for 2027 Elections

Kenneth Okonkwo, a former member of the Labour Party (LP), has called on President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside from contesting in the 2027 presidential election. The Nollywood actor-turned-politician, who had previously served as the spokesman for the LP’s 2023 presidential campaign, now believes that Nigeria should look toward fresh candidates in the upcoming polls.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Okonkwo reiterated his position that these prominent political figures should allow new contenders a chance at the presidency. He emphasized that Nigerians demand leadership that secures their mandate decisively. “You must do everything decisively to secure it,” Okonkwo said, referring to the struggle for political power in Nigeria. He also made it clear that despite his past collaboration with Obi, that chapter was closed and he would not support Obi in 2027.

On Tuesday, Okonkwo officially resigned from the Labour Party, citing internal conflicts as the main reason for his departure. He stated that his resignation would take effect on February 25, 2025, and made it clear that he was stepping down on principle. He added that he would not be returning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of failing to address Nigeria’s pressing issues.

However, Okonkwo left the door slightly open for a return to APC, but only under certain conditions. He declared that he would be the first to acknowledge it if the APC changed its ways and began to work for the betterment of the country.