Okonkwo Proposes Six-Year Single Term, Says Tinubu’s Government Worst in History

Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent member of the newly formed opposition coalition seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, has declared that the presidential ticket of the coalition will be open to both Northern and Southern aspirants. He emphasized that the coalition would not restrict the race for its presidential ticket to any region, aiming to present the most competent candidate to Nigerians.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, Okonkwo, who served as the spokesperson for Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2023 general elections, said: “Nobody is going to stop anybody from contesting for the presidential ticket in the coalition, nobody.” According to him, the idea of zoning has proven counterproductive and must give way to a merit-based contest where Nigerians can choose the most qualified candidate regardless of their region of origin.

He argued that the coalition is prioritizing inclusiveness and national unity. “When the best comes in, every other person will support him, and the person will promise to do four years,” he stated, while advocating for a single-term presidency of six years to curb political manipulation and ethnic tensions that often arise over rotational presidency debates.

Six-Year Single Term Proposal to Address Regional Tensions

In a bid to prevent the political instability associated with regional agitation over power rotation, Okonkwo proposed a six-year single term for whoever emerges as the next president. He explained that such a structure would encourage unity and discourage long-term dominance by any one region, especially in the aftermath of eight years of Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, and the ongoing tenure of Bola Tinubu, a southerner.

He added that promises of single-term presidencies have often been broken, eroding public trust in politicians. “Politicians have shown that it is very difficult to trust them, even when they promise one term. If someone from the South gets in and isn’t performing like Tinubu, the North will agitate and feel shortchanged,” he said.

Okonkwo emphasized that zoning often creates more problems than it solves. “The best is to throw it open,” he said, insisting that only a credible candidate, regardless of regional origin, can win the support of the coalition and the Nigerian electorate.

No Support for Obi, Atiku as Coalition Candidate

Despite being one of Peter Obi’s closest allies during the 2023 election campaign, Okonkwo ruled out supporting the former Anambra State governor—or Atiku Abubakar—for the coalition’s 2027 presidential ticket. He made it clear that his political allegiance has shifted following his disillusionment with the Labour Party and its leadership style.

“I do not support some of the current leaders in the coalition, including Atiku and Obi, to emerge as the candidate,” he said. Okonkwo did not elaborate on his reservations, but his remarks suggest a strong push within the coalition for fresh faces and new ideas rather than recycled candidacies from past elections.

He stressed that his political decisions are based on principle, not sentiment. “We need to present a candidate with vision, competence, and a solid national appeal. Repeating past mistakes will not help Nigeria,” he asserted.

I Didn’t Betray Peter Obi’—Okonkwo Responds to Criticism

Addressing what he called insinuations of betrayal by Peter Obi and some of his supporters, Okonkwo firmly denied ever acting disloyally while serving as Obi’s spokesperson. He stated that he had given his full commitment to Obi’s 2023 presidential bid and parted ways transparently when he no longer aligned with the party’s direction.

“When I worked for him, I never consulted any politician, I never talked with any political party, I was 100 per cent loyal; not 99,” he said. Okonkwo recounted how he publicly declared his departure from the Labour Party and his decision not to serve as Obi’s spokesperson any longer.

He criticized those accusing him of betrayal, saying, “Anybody writing anything against me is a reflection of who that person is, not a reflection of who I am.” His comments indicate lingering friction between factions within the opposition and a broader push by some members of the new coalition to move beyond the Labour Party-PDP legacy figures.

Tinubu Administration ‘Worst in Nigeria’s History’—Okonkwo

Okonkwo also delivered a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, calling it the worst government in Nigeria’s history. He claimed that the economic hardship, insecurity, and declining public confidence under Tinubu have surpassed the poor performance of the Buhari administration.

“I never thought any government would be worse than Buhari’s, but this one has shown otherwise,” he said, blasting the floating of the naira as “a terrible thing to do.” He argued that Tinubu should have implemented policies to boost exports and strengthen the naira through production, not currency liberalization.

Okonkwo’s criticisms come amid growing public discontent over inflation, fuel subsidy removal, and widespread poverty. His remarks reflect the strategic narrative of the emerging National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG), which is positioning itself as a viable alternative in 2027.

The NOCG, which includes political heavyweights like former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and is chaired by former Senate President David Mark, has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register its new party—the All Democratic Alliance (ADA)—ahead of the 2027 elections.