2027: Atiku Is Unstoppable, Even Obasanjo Couldn’t Block Him – Kenneth Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed confidence that the former vice-president will contest and win the 2027 presidential election despite ongoing legal challenges confronting the opposition party.

Okonkwo said attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to frustrate Atiku’s presidential ambition would not succeed, citing former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s alleged unsuccessful efforts to prevent Atiku from contesting the 2007 presidential election.

In a post on X on Tuesday, the ADC chieftain argued that the increasing political and legal pressure on the opposition party had further strengthened his conviction that Atiku would become Nigeria’s next president.

He wrote, “The more the incompetent and corrupt APC tackles ADC, and the more they try to block Atiku Abubakar from contesting for the post of President in 2027, the more I am convinced that Atiku Abubakar is the next President of Nigeria because you do not cast a stone at a tree that is not bearing any fruit.”

Drawing parallels with the 2007 presidential election, Okonkwo recalled how Obasanjo allegedly deployed the powers of the state against his then-vice-president to stop him from participating in the election.

He, however, said Atiku overcame the obstacles through the courts, insisting that a similar outcome would follow in 2027.

“APC should learn from history, and understand that Atiku is unstoppable. President Olusegun Obasanjo did everything possible, with all the powers of the security apparatus, to stop Atiku, his Vice President, from contesting the 2007 presidential election, but failed,” he stated.

“Atiku succeeded through the rule of law by ventilating his agitation through the courts. This time around in 2027, Atiku will win again because God and the people of Nigeria are on his side.”

Okonkwo further insisted that Atiku and the ADC would participate in the 2027 presidential election, dismissing concerns that the party’s ongoing leadership crisis could prevent the former vice-president from appearing on the ballot.

“Let me reiterate, Atiku and ADC will be on the ballot in 2027 and will win the 2027 presidential election for the security and welfare of Nigerians,” he added.

His latest remarks come days after he accused Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, of being used to undermine opposition parties through judicial decisions.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Saturday, November 7, Okonkwo alleged that the judge’s ruling nullifying the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC was part of a plot to prevent Atiku from contesting the 2027 election and give President Bola Tinubu an opportunity to run unopposed.

He claimed that the objective of the judgment was to eliminate the ADC and its presidential candidate from the electoral contest.

Okonkwo also questioned the handling of the ADC leadership dispute, alleging that Justice Lifu had previously been criticised by the Court of Appeal over his conduct in a separate case involving the National Forum of Former Legislators, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and four political parties.

He cited the appellate court’s alleged description of the judge’s conduct as “judicial rascality” and “judicial impertinence”.

“The Court of Appeal recognised by its judgement that the judge is known to display judicial rascality and judicial impertinence,” Okonkwo said.

The ADC spokesperson also questioned the decision to transfer the latest leadership dispute from the court of Justice Emeka Nwite, where it had previously been handled, to Justice Lifu’s court.

He described the development as suspicious and alleged that the judiciary was being used to achieve political objectives.

“The target here is Atiku Abubakar. The target here is ADC, trying to use the judiciary to achieve political motives, not to uphold justice,” he said.

On the substantive dispute, Okonkwo challenged the legal standing of Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC national officer who is contesting the party’s leadership arrangement.

He alleged that Bala participated in decisions leading to the dissolution of the party’s former National Working Committee and the emergence of the David Mark-led leadership.

According to him, the ADC National Executive Committee approved the emergence of the new leadership on July 29, 2025, in the presence of INEC, after the commission had received the required 21-day notice.

He consequently argued that Bala could not challenge an arrangement he had allegedly participated in approving.

Okonkwo also faulted the court for making pronouncements affecting ADC candidates, including Atiku, who he maintained was not a party to the proceedings.

He argued that the decision violated the principle of fair hearing because the former vice-president was allegedly not given an opportunity to defend his political interests before orders affecting his ambition were made.

“How can you make an order that affects Atiku Abubakar when he was not a party to the case? The natural law of fair hearing has already been breached,” he said.

He further insisted that ADC members who voted for Atiku should not be denied the opportunity to present him as their presidential candidate because of the party’s internal leadership dispute.