Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent Nigerian lawyer and politician, has cautioned aspirants in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections not to complain about the influence of money in party primaries—often referred to as dollarized primaries if they are unwilling to challenge an incumbent in the general election. Okonkwo made these remarks during an interview on Channels TV, emphasizing the realities of Nigeria’s political landscape and the challenges of unseating a sitting president.
Okonkwo argued that presidential primaries in Nigeria inevitably involve significant financial outlays, and that any candidate who is deterred by the financial demands of primaries is unlikely to withstand the even greater resources and influence wielded by an incumbent during the general election. He stated, “In 2027, I will no longer want to hear a candidate telling me that in this primary, ‘I won’t participate because it is dollarized.’ Then don’t try to compete with an incumbent.” Okonkwo stressed that leadership requires the ability to inspire and mobilize support, even in the face of financial disadvantages.
The interview also touched on the broader issue of political strategy, with Okonkwo urging aspiring leaders to prepare for the realities of Nigerian politics rather than relying on sentiments. He highlighted that incumbents have access to state resources and security apparatus, making it essential for opposition candidates to be both financially and strategically prepared if they hope to mount a credible challenge in 2027.
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