Tinubu, Obi, Atiku should step aside, we need new faces, says Okonkwo

Former spokesperson for Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Kenneth Okonkwo, has called for new faces in Nigerian political space.

Okonkwo, who appeared on an Arise News TV interview, on Tuesday night, asked President Bola Tinubu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, to step aside for the new individuals.

Okonkwo added that Nigeria needs fresh ideas to solve socioeconomic problems, considering politicians have proven they have nothing to offer.

His assertion is rooted in his belief that the ruling party and the opposition have failed Nigerians.

Rather than mergers, Okonkwo advocated consolidation and alliance-building among opposition parties.

He stressed the importance of working together to form a strong, united front before considering electoral alliances.

He said: “I completely agree with you that we need new faces, and that is why I have said that Atiku, Obi, and Tinubu should step aside.

The reason is that the ruling party and opposition have failed. Are you aware we have more opposition members as representatives than the ruling party if they come together? That is why I said it is important for them to come together to form a consolidated fortune before you talk about a merger.

“I am not saying that merger is not important; Don’t just finish an election and the next thing you start talking about is the next election. You consolidate and ally to work together as an opposition.”

The PDP had revealed that candidates of three strong opposition parties in Nigeria were planning to form a merger to unseat the ruling APC ahead of the general polls in 2027.

This was disclosed by the national spokesman for the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi.

Abdullahi mentioned that the three opposition candidates in the last elections, PDP’s Atiku, LP’s Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) should put personal interests aside.