A political commentator and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nze Amb. Valentine Onwuka, has criticised actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over his position on the 2027 presidential race, insisting that electoral victory should take precedence over regional sentiments.
Onwuka’s remarks come days after Okonkwo declared that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket in 2027 that does not feature a candidate from the South-East as either president or vice president.
Reacting to the stance, Onwuka argued that while the South-East’s quest for greater political inclusion is legitimate, political parties must ultimately prioritise strategies that enhance their chances of winning elections.
According to him, politics is fundamentally about securing victory at the polls and not merely making symbolic statements.
“The first task is to win. Everything else follows from that,” he said.
Onwuka acknowledged that the South-East has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development and deserves fair consideration in the country’s leadership structure. However, he stressed that electoral realities often require parties to make difficult decisions based on coalition-building, voter behaviour and national political calculations.
He maintained that no political party can implement policies, appoint officials or address grievances unless it first wins power.
The ADC stalwart also faulted Okonkwo’s decision to publicly draw a line over the composition of a future presidential ticket, arguing that such sensitive issues should be addressed within party structures rather than in the media.
He warned that public disagreements over zoning and ticket balancing could deepen divisions within opposition ranks and provide opportunities for political opponents to exploit internal differences.
Onwuka said opposition figures should focus on presenting credible solutions rather than engaging in debates that could distract from broader national concerns.
He further argued that opposition parties seeking to challenge an incumbent administration must build broad-based national alliances capable of attracting support across regional and ethnic lines.
While reiterating support for the South-East’s aspiration for greater representation, Onwuka insisted that such goals are best pursued from a position of political strength.
“The bigger picture today is how to build a coalition that can win and govern effectively,” he said.
He urged opposition stakeholders to embrace compromise, strategic thinking and unity ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that political fragmentation could weaken efforts to unseat the ruling party.
According to him, history ultimately remembers those who win elections and govern, not those who remain on the sidelines because they could not secure their preferred political arrangements.
