Kenneth Okonkwo, former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 presidential campaign, has emphasized the need for new political leaders in Nigeria by 2027. Speaking on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television, Okonkwo criticized both the ruling and opposition parties, stating that they have failed the Nigerian people.

Okonkwo specifically called for President Bola Tinubu, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi, the LP’s 2023 presidential candidate, to step down and make way for fresh ideas in the next election cycle. He argued that the opposition parties have been unable to inspire their members to push for necessary judicial and electoral reforms.

“The opposition will only be wasting time contesting the 2027 election given the ‘desecration’ of the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” Okonkwo stated. He also cautioned against early talks of mergers, noting that opposition parties should focus on forming strategic alliances and working together to hold the ruling party accountable. “We need new faces. I completely agree 100 percent that Atiku, Peter Obi, and Tinubu should step aside,” Okonkwo said.

He further highlighted that opposition members in the national assembly have failed to curb the excesses of the ruling party, showing a lack of leadership and vision for the future.