By Bayo Wahab
Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has questioned Peter Obi’s remark at the inauguration of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential campaign office.
Okonkwo asked why Obi would not support Makinde’s presidential ambition if he genuinely believed the governor was qualified for the presidency.
He spoke on Arise TV’s Day Break on Tuesday while reacting to what has been described by some political observers as a possible alliance between Obi and Makinde ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde, who is contesting the 2027 presidency on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) inaugurated his presidential campaign office in Abuja on Monday, with Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), among those who attended the event.
During his remarks at the ceremony, Obi described Makinde as qualified to contest for the presidency.
However, Okonkwo, while reacting to a question on what Atiku has to offer that will be different from the perceived collaboration between Makinde and Obi, questioned whether Obi’s attendance and endorsement amounted to any meaningful political alliance.
“I wish I can help you to say it, could be that Peter Obi is offering any alliance, but unfortunately, being very honest, I can’t say it,” Okonkwo said.
He recalled that Obi had previously been associated with the ADC before eventually leaving the party shortly before its presidential primary.
“Peter Obi was in ADC and offered to be in alliance with ADC, and he ran away almost like one week to the primary,” he said.
Okonkwo also mocked Obi’s attendance at political events, saying his presence at Makinde’s campaign office launch should not necessarily be interpreted as evidence of an alliance.
“Even if you invite him for naming ceremony or for wedding ceremony, he will still be there, waving at the crowd, even if there is no crowd, he’ll wave at trees,” he said.
“So, I cannot say particularly whether his being there offers any meaningful alliance.”
The ADC chieftain then challenged Obi to explain why he was not supporting Makinde’s presidential bid if he believed the Oyo governor was qualified to lead the country.
“Why am I saying that? If you believe that Seyi Makinde is qualified, why didn’t you support him?” Okonkwo asked.
“Why go to INEC? Why deceive your followers you want to contest for president? Why don’t you, from day one, team up an alliance and it will be consolidated?”, he asked.
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