2027: I’ll Support a Fresh Southerner or a Northerner Ready for One Term – Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo declares his stance on the 2027 elections, stating he will support a new southern candidate or a northern leader willing to serve only one term.

As discussions about forming a coalition intensify in anticipation of the 2027 election, Kenneth Okonkwo, former spokesman for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, expressed his willingness to support either a new southern or northern candidate who commits to stepping down after serving a single four-year term.

He based his decision on ensuring equity and fairness for both the northern and southern regions of the country, adhering to the informal practice of rotating the presidency.

“Everyone ought to unite as this is a topic open for discussion. The person chosen to lead for the next four years will impact my support, since I remain committed to equity and justice,” Okonkwo stated on Sunday’s episode of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program broadcast on Channels Television.

The lawyer, who left the Labour Party in February 2025, expressed his willingness to join the emerging coalition aimed at defeating President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming election.

Discussions regarding a coalition have been gaining traction recently, and the defection of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has intensified these talks.

El-Rufai has been photographed alongside Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as other influential figures in the opposition. Similarly, Okonkwo recently had a meeting with Atiku and expressed that collaboration is essential for Nigeria to overcome the ruling APC in the upcoming election.

Okonkwo characterized the APC government as lacking competence and emphasized that the opposition needs to present a strong front to seize power from the current administration in the upcoming election.

He stated, “My strategy is straightforward. If the opposition truly intends to take power from this ineffective government, they need to unite and operate as a cohesive group. This approach was what the APC adopted in 2013, which ultimately enabled them to seize power in 2015.”

“I am a firm believer in forming coalitions. As I was departing, I mentioned my willingness to engage with all groups to unite the opposition and work towards replacing this government.”

The lawyer characterized the 2027 election as intricate and challenging but mentioned that the coalition could negotiate on strategies for securing a win in the poll.

Okonkwo remarked, “The year 2027 represents one of the most intricate and challenging periods in Nigeria’s political history. This is due to a gentleman’s agreement that outlines an eight-year leadership term alternating between the South and the North.”

When an incumbent is underperforming midway through their term, it becomes quite challenging to foresee or influence future outcomes.

Would you suggest opting for someone new from the South? The North might perceive this as another eight-year term, which could make them apprehensive. Trust isn’t often a strong point for politicians.

Would you permit an ineffective government to persist simply because you’re willing to jeopardize the entirety of Nigeria? Is it just so that an incumbent administration can complete its eight-year term?

Would you suggest sending it to the North after spending only four years in the South? That might lead the South to feel they’re being short-changed. It’s quite a complex situation.

If politicians were trustworthy, the ideal scenario would be to hold a free and fair primary election in which every qualified candidate from both the South and North could participate. The winner, regardless of their regional background, should agree to serve a four-year term.

If he, being from the North, serves for four years, leadership would have been equally distributed between the North and South—four years each—and then it will return to the South.

If a new candidate from the South wins, they will serve only four years to complete the total of eight. Afterward, leadership will shift to the North for an additional eight years.

“If the North acknowledges that the current individual isn’t performing well, yet it’s not our turn to lead but we’re capable of serving for four years—this is only valid if they emerge from free and fair elections. Imposing restrictions or bypassing primary processes would make it selective rather than democratic.”