“I Won't Work For Atiku Abubakar, But As For Working For Tinubu, I Don't Know Yet”—Chris Nwaokobia

Professor Chris Nwaokobia, a prominent political activist and former presidential aspirant, has further clarified his political stance ahead of upcoming election cycles, stressing that his decisions will be guided more by governance capacity and national interest than by loyalty to any established political bloc or personality.

Speaking in a video shared on the official YouTube channel of Mic On Podcast on Saturday, June 20, 2026, Nwaokobia was asked whether he could work with the current administration. 

In his response, he drew a clear distinction in his level of willingness toward key political actors, stating: “I won’t work for Atiku Abubakar, but as for working for Tinubu, I don’t know yet.”

He explained that his political positioning is not fixed to individuals or party structures, but instead depends on a careful and critical assessment of policy direction, governance quality, and the content of political manifestos. 

According to him, Nigeria’s current challenges require what he described as a “deep structural audit” of leadership choices, especially in light of ongoing economic pressures and institutional weaknesses.

The legal practitioner further argued that his rejection of collaboration with certain opposition figures is rooted in what he sees as limitations in leadership mentorship and succession planning. 

He maintained that effective leadership should not only focus on holding office but must also actively nurture the next generation of leaders while remaining fully engaged in governance responsibilities.

Nwaokobia also used the opportunity to caution young Nigerians against allowing emotional attachment, ethnic loyalty, or political sentiment to override rational evaluation during elections. 

He urged the youth to shift their attention toward institutional reforms and demand accountability, insisting that governance must be centred on improving security, economic stability, and overall welfare for citizens across the country.

In his concluding remarks, he reiterated that any future political engagement he undertakes will be determined strictly by independent assessment of national interest rather than personal relationships or partisan expectations. 

He emphasized that his broader commitment remains helping citizens make informed, logical political choices that contribute to the long-term development and stability of Nigeria.