Omotayo Adigun
Former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, has thrown his weight behind a single-term presidency in the 2027 elections, stating that his support for any candidate will depend on their willingness to serve only four years.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Okonkwo argued that a single-term presidency could resolve Nigeria’s longstanding challenge of power rotation between the North and South.
“Everybody should come together. It is something that can be discussed. Who is going to do four years is going to influence who I am going to support because I still believe in equity and justice,” he said.
His remarks come amid growing momentum for an opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election, following the defection of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and ongoing consultations among key political figures.
Okonkwo, a former Nollywood actor turned politician, stressed that unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would require a strategic alliance, similar to the opposition merger that led to APC’s victory in 2015. He described the Tinubu-led government as “incompetent” and emphasized the need for a formidable coalition.
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With Tinubu set to complete his first term in 2027, Okonkwo acknowledged the dilemma facing opposition forces: whether to back a southern candidate, risking resistance from the North, or support a northern contender at the expense of southern political interests.
To resolve this, he suggested an open primary election for candidates from both regions, with an agreement that the winner would serve just one term. He believes this approach would foster fairness and maintain the balance of power between the North and South.
Okonkwo’s comments add to the ongoing debate over Nigeria’s leadership structure, as opposition groups weigh their options in the race for 2027.