Labour Party chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has declared that the opposition coalition’s 2027 presidential ticket is open to both northerners and southerners, dismissing zoning as a barrier to unity against the APC. Speaking at a coalition summit in Abuja on June 21, Okonkwo, a former Obi-Datti campaign spokesperson, emphasized merit over regional politics.
The coalition, comprising Labour Party, PDP, and NNPP figures like Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, aims to unseat President Tinubu in 2027. Okonkwo’s remarks address northern power blocs eyeing Vice President Kashim Shettima’s seat, amid speculation of a northern ticket led by Atiku. “We’re building a Nigeria-first platform, not a regional one,” Okonkwo said, citing Obi’s 2023 appeal across regions, per ThisDay. He urged the coalition to finalize its structure by Q1 2026, warning against delays that cost the opposition in 2023.
PDP’s Bode George, a coalition member, backed Okonkwo, urging a unified candidate. However, northern PDP leaders like Sule Lamido prefer a northern ticket, citing the South’s eight-year rule under Tinubu. Analysts note the coalition’s success hinges on resolving these tensions, with 72% of voters favoring a united opposition, per a 2024 NOI Polls survey.