A prominent member of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, has claimed that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi could lose support across the Southeast ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okonkwo made the statement on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
According to him, the popular political slogan “Obi or Nothing” goes against the cultural values of the Igbo people.
He explained that Igbo culture promotes collective progress and inclusion rather than focusing success on only one individual.
Okonkwo referred to the Igbo philosophy known as “Somadina,” which means “I will not be the only one to succeed,” saying the belief encourages people to support one another politically and economically.
To support his argument, he recalled the 1979 presidential election involving late nationalist Nnamdi Azikiwe and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme.
According to Okonkwo, Azikiwe contested the presidency under the NPP, while Ekwueme belonged to the NPN, yet Azikiwe respected his political decision instead of asking him to leave his party.
He noted that the arrangement later benefited the Southeast after the NPN won the election and Ekwueme became vice president.
Okonkwo suggested that political inclusiveness and strategic alliances remain important for the Southeast in future elections.