Atiku Spokesperson Says Obasanjo’s Actions After 2023 Election Made Him Suspect Support for Tinubu in 2027
Abuja, Nigeria | August 9, 2026
Spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said he now believes former President Olusegun Obasanjo may be supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office in the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo made the claim during an interview with Symfoni TV, while reflecting on the political developments that followed the 2023 presidential election.
The lawyer and former spokesperson for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign said he was part of Peter Obi’s campaign team when Obasanjo publicly endorsed Obi ahead of the 2023 election.
According to Okonkwo, he initially believed that Obasanjo’s endorsement was made in good faith, particularly because of the former President’s position that political power should return to the southern part of Nigeria.
He said he therefore did not initially suspect that the former President had any ulterior political motive.
However, Okonkwo said his perception changed after the 2023 election, when he began seeing Obasanjo wearing clothing associated with President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” political campaign and attending events where the administration’s political agenda was prominent.
He also referenced Obasanjo’s recent criticisms of Atiku Abubakar as part of the reasons he now suspects that the former President may favour Tinubu’s return to office in 2027.
Speaking during the interview, Okonkwo said:
“I was in Obi’s presidential campaign as a spokesperson in 2023. Then I sincerely thought Obasanjo meant well and because the power needed to go to the South. So when he endorsed us, I sincerely thought he meant well. So I didn’t believe that he had any ulterior motive. But then after the election I started seeing him wearing Renewed Hope cap, attending occasions.”
Okonkwo’s comments come amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with opposition parties and political figures continuing to debate possible alliances and the positions of influential former leaders.
Former President Obasanjo has not, in the remarks provided, publicly confirmed that he is supporting President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Obasanjo’s political interventions continue to attract national attention because of his influence and his long history in Nigeria’s political affairs.
The comments by Okonkwo also come amid growing disagreements between supporters of Atiku and other opposition political figures over the direction of the opposition ahead of 2027.
IBN NEWS will continue to monitor political realignments and emerging reactions as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
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