Former Labour Party presidential spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said that no single candidate can defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election without a strong coalition. Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Okonkwo stressed that the only real option for opposition parties is to unite if they hope to challenge Tinubu’s hold on power.

Commenting on the wave of defections to the APC, he said politicians crossing over are doing so purely for selfish reasons, not out of any genuine belief in good governance. Okonkwo warned that if the opposition fails to form a coalition, Tinubu will easily secure a second term.

“If there’s no coalition, Tinubu will win outright, he’ll just walk back into power,” he said. While he couldn’t predict exactly who would lead the coalition, Okonkwo was certain it would happen, suggesting that figures like Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar could find themselves on the same side.

He pointed out that in today’s Nigeria, it’s no longer enough to simply win elections; opposition parties also have to work to secure and protect their victories. Reflecting on past elections, Okonkwo said the way opposition leaders united in 2014 to unseat Goodluck Jonathan is the same energy needed to defeat Tinubu in 2027.

On the recent defections, he criticized those moving to the APC, likening it to “running into a sinking house for shelter,” and accused them of hoping the ruling party would manipulate election results in their favor. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is among the latest big names to ditch the PDP and join the APC.