Nollywood actor and political figure Kenneth Okonkwo has announced his intention to support a Northern presidential candidate in the 2027 elections, provided the candidate is widely embraced by the northern electorate.
Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party, made this disclosure during an interview on Channels Television on Monday night, July 8. The political actor, who exited the Labour Party in July 2024 over dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership and its former presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, is now aligned with the ADC-led coalition pushing for a unified opposition ahead of the next general election.
Speaking on the strategy to unseat President Bola Tinubu, Okonkwo emphasized the need for a strong, regionally endorsed northern contender, suggesting names such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal as possible candidates.
“My strategy this time around is that I am going to support a northerner in 2027,” Okonkwo stated during the interview.
“It must be a northerner that the whole north is willing to support. If the whole north is willing to support an Atiku, why not? If the whole north is willing to support a Tambuwal, why not? The person must be qualified. If he has experience in the presidency, that’s an added advantage.”
He added that pairing a strong northern candidate with a credible southern running mate would significantly boost the opposition’s chances in the next election.
Okonkwo’s comments come amid intensified political realignments ahead of 2027, with many observers noting a growing push within opposition circles to unite behind a single formidable challenger to President Tinubu’s expected re-election bid.
The actor-turned-politician’s statements have since sparked reactions across social media, particularly from political analysts and party supporters who are weighing the implications of a northern-backed opposition strategy.
