A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, says anybody voting Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election is indirectly endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

“Let me tell you this: in 2027, anybody voting for Peter Obi is voting for Tinubu,” said Mr Okonkwo in an interview on Symfoni TV on Wednesday.

He added, “It’s either you’re working for Tinubu directly in APC or you are working for Tinubu indirectly. Because when you divide votes from the coalition, you place Tinubu in a better position to win.

Mr Obi joined the African Democratic Congress alongside many of his supporters, including Mr Okonkwo, in December last year. 

The politician, however, dumped the party months after joining to team up with the Nigeria Democratic Congress to realise his presidential ambition.

Few weeks into joining the party, Mr Obi emerged its sole presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections and picked a former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.

Mr Okonkwo berated Mr Obi for exiting the ADC and accused the NDC chieftain of running away from challenges.

“Nobody forced Peter Obi to enter ADC; you did on your own. And a week to the end of the time, you left and gave the reason.

“What reason did he give? You can’t compete in primaries and you want to be a politician and a president of a challenged country. And you’re running away from challenges,” he stated.