Maxwell Opara Urges Kwankwaso to Set Aside Ambition and Deputize Peter Obi for Unified 2027 Opposition Ticket

Lawyer Maxwell Opara calls for Rabiu Kwankwaso to deputize Peter Obi in 2027, arguing a unified opposition is the "only option" to challenge President Tinubu.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 9:56 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Naija News

The Case for a Unified Opposition Front

The discourse surrounding Nigeria's 2027 presidential race has intensified following a public appeal by activist lawyer Maxwell Opara for a consolidated opposition. Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Opara asserted that the current political climate necessitates a departure from individual ambitions in favor of a "Mega Party" alliance. He specifically addressed Rabiu Kwankwaso, urging the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader to "drop his ego" and consider a secondary role on a joint ticket. According to Opara, the fragmented state of the opposition during the 2023 cycle served as a cautionary tale that must not be repeated if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is to be effectively challenged.

Peter Obi’s Demonstrated Political Capacity

Opara’s endorsement of Peter Obi—who has recently been associated with a shift toward the African Democratic Congress (ADC)—is rooted in Obi’s performance during the previous general election. The lawyer highlighted that Obi’s ability to enter a relatively minor platform like the Labour Party and deliver significant national results demonstrated a unique "capacity to lead." Opara argued that this momentum makes Obi the most credible candidate to anchor a unified front. By positioning Obi at the top of the ticket, Opara believes the opposition can capitalize on an established national following that transcends traditional ethnic and regional voting blocs.

Navigating the Geopolitics of a Second Term

A significant portion of Opara’s argument touched on the unwritten rules of Nigerian power rotation. He suggested that a Northern candidate attempting to unseat a Southern incumbent before the completion of an eight-year tenure faces a "politically unviable" path. Opara noted that historical precedents in Nigerian democracy often favor the completion of two terms for a sitting president from a specific region. Consequently, he proposed that a Southern candidate like Obi stands a better chance of gaining broad-based support, provided he is paired with a strong Northern deputy like Kwankwaso to maintain regional balance and satisfy the diverse interests of the Nigerian electorate.