“As the race toward 2027 gradually takes shape, analysts expect more political maneuvering, alliances, and disagreements to emerge as parties and stakeholders seek to position themselves for what is already shaping up to be a highly contested electoral cycle”
— Development Comes Amid Fresh N5 Billion Defamation Suit Filed Against Former Labour Party Chieftain
Former Labour Party chieftain and lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, has formally withdrawn his support for the 2027 presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, citing what he described as the continued marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone in Nigeria’s political power-sharing arrangement.
Okonkwo made the announcement through his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he expressed strong dissatisfaction with emerging coalition arrangements within the opposition, particularly reports suggesting that the vice-presidential slot may again bypass the South-East in favour of another region.
According to him, it would amount to an “unpardonable injustice” for the South-East to be denied both the Presidency and Vice-Presidency despite the region not having produced either office holder since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
The former Labour Party spokesman stated that his earlier support for Atiku Abubakar was based on the belief that the former Vice President represented a possible pathway for the South-East to eventually attain the nation’s highest office through coalition politics. However, he said recent developments within the opposition alliance have shattered that expectation.
Okonkwo also pointed to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noting that the party was founded by a South-East indigene in 2005 and therefore should be mindful of issues of fairness, equity, and inclusiveness in its political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.
He maintained that he would not support, campaign for, or be associated with any political ticket that excludes the South-East from either the presidential or vice-presidential position.
The latest political declaration comes barely a day after former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, reportedly instituted a ₦5 billion defamation suit against Kenneth Okonkwo through his legal representative, Soronndi Njoku.
The lawsuit, which has already generated significant political and legal interest within Imo State and beyond, adds another layer of controversy around Okonkwo at a time when opposition realignments and coalition negotiations are gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political observers believe that both the legal battle and Okonkwo’s withdrawal of support for Atiku underscore the growing tensions within opposition circles, particularly over questions of regional representation, zoning, and the future direction of coalition politics in Nigeria.
As the race toward 2027 gradually takes shape, analysts expect more political maneuvering, alliances, and disagreements to emerge as parties and stakeholders seek to position themselves for what is already shaping up to be a highly contested electoral cycle.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Kenneth Okonkwo’s decision to withdraw support for Atiku Abubakar highlights the increasing importance of regional balancing and power-sharing in Nigeria’s political discourse. Coming on the heels of a high-profile ₦5 billion defamation lawsuit instituted by former Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa, the development further underscores the political and legal challenges confronting key actors as the battle for 2027 begins to intensify. Whether these disagreements will strengthen or weaken opposition coalition efforts remains to be seen.
