Former Vice President and presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed Kenneth Okonkwo as his spokesperson ahead of the 2027 general election amid concerns over the political representation of the South-East in the emerging opposition coalition.
Okonkwo announced his appointment in a statement on Wednesday, expressing gratitude to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him and pledging to discharge his responsibilities diligently.
“I give God all the glory to be appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank him for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he said.
The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo publicly raised concerns about what he described as the continued marginalisation of the South-East in Nigeria’s power-sharing arrangement. He had previously indicated that excluding the region from top positions in the opposition coalition would amount to perpetuating political imbalance.
According to Okonkwo, discussions involving Atiku and members of the coalition addressed concerns relating to the South-East and provided assurances within the framework of the Electoral Act and prevailing political realities.
He also praised Atiku’s leadership style, describing the former vice president as a democrat who embraces dialogue and compromise whenever disagreements arise among his associates.
Okonkwo expressed appreciation to several political figures whom he credited with supporting the coalition’s efforts and reiterated his commitment to working toward what he described as the emergence of a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
The development is expected to reshape political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in the South-East, where calls for greater inclusion in Nigeria’s leadership structure have continued to feature prominently in national political discourse.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The National Concord Blog Newsletter for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now below!
