A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has warned that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, could face challenges retaining support in the South-East ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television Thursday, Okonkwo criticised the popular “Obi or nothing” slogan used by some of Obi’s supporters, describing it as contrary to Igbo political culture and values.
According to him, the slogan goes against the Igbo principle of “Somadina,” which promotes collective success rather than individual ambition.
“‘Obi or nothing’ is an abomination in Igbo land,” Okonkwo said. “Somadina means I cannot be the only one succeeding while others are left behind.”
The former Obi ally pointed to the political relationship between late nationalist Nnamdi Azikiwe and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme during the 1979 elections, arguing that Igbo leaders historically embraced alliances and inclusiveness instead of exclusionary politics.
He said Azikiwe understood that Igbo votes alone would not secure the presidency and respected Ekwueme’s political choices at the time. Okonkwo added that the alliances formed after the election helped the South-East regain key political positions shortly after the civil war.
Okonkwo also took aim at Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso over their recent exit from the ADC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, accusing both politicians of avoiding party primaries.
According to him, the pair had initially backed coalition talks aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in 2027 before abandoning the ADC.
“They said coalition was the only way to remove Tinubu, then suddenly left for NDC,” he said. “That raises serious questions.”
Okonkwo also criticised some of Obi’s supporters, describing them as “toxic followers,” while admitting he once strongly backed the former Anambra governor during the 2023 presidential election.
“I supported him because I wanted someone from the South-East to become president,” he said, adding that he later became disappointed after the election outcome and the legal battles that followed.
Obi and Kwankwaso officially joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress on May 3, 2026, after internal disagreements within the ADC amid ongoing opposition coalition talks ahead of the next presidential election.
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