Former Labour Party spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo has called on Nigeria's opposition parties to unite if they hope to present a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Okonkwo criticized the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu as the APC's sole candidate for 2027 by the party's Northwest zone, describing it as poorly timed given the nation's pressing security and economic challenges.

"It is shameful that at a time when people are being killed, like the 15 people reportedly murdered this morning in Agatu LGA, Benue State, and the Northwest is grappling with the highest rate of out-of-school children and poverty, leaders are preoccupied with elections still two years away," Okonkwo stated.

The Nollywood actor-turned-politician characterized the endorsement as an unrepresentative gathering of political elites disconnected from the real needs of over 60 million people in the Northwest region, emphasizing that "democracy is about the people, not a group of sycophants seeking power for its own sake."

Okonkwo attributed the opposition's failure in the 2023 elections to fragmentation, which he claimed allowed a "minority party with only 37 per cent of the total votes to claim the presidency."

"The only way to get APC out of power in 2027 is for the opposition to unite. Nigerians deserve a government rooted in integrity, competence, and a commitment to public welfare, not one focused on power retention," he declared.

The legal practitioner also criticized what he termed the "palm wine politics" of the APC, comparing its inconsistent ideology and frequent defections to the changing taste of palm wine.

When questioned about reported discussions between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi regarding a possible one-term presidency arrangement, Okonkwo maintained that leadership should be determined by the people rather than through behind-closed-doors political deals.

Despite having left the Labour Party due to internal challenges, Okonkwo confirmed his continued involvement in politics, revealing that he is currently part of a coalition still in its formative stages.

"I am part of a coalition that is still in the formative stages. We're not rushing into platforms, but when we emerge, Nigerians will hear from us. We may not change the beginning of our story, but we can certainly change how it ends. And I believe we will succeed," he concluded.