Former member of the Labour Party (LP) and former spokesman for the party’s presidential campaign team in 2023, Kenneth Okonkwo, has called on President Bola Tinubu, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside and allow new candidates to contest for the presidency in the upcoming 2027 general elections. This bold statement marks a significant departure from Okonkwo’s previous political alliances, as he has now backtracked from his support for Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the last election.
In an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor-turned-politician, firmly reiterated his position that the three political heavyweights should make way for fresh contenders in the next presidential race. He expressed dissatisfaction with the way political leadership has been handled in Nigeria, highlighting that the current crop of leaders has failed to address the country’s pressing challenges.
“I said it and I maintain it because in Nigeria, people will not give you their mandate and you treat it with levity,” Okonkwo said, responding to a question about his stance on the upcoming election. “You must do everything decisively to secure it. Unfortunately, nature has bestowed on us the duty that in Nigeria, you will not only win an election, but you have to fight for your mandate.”
Okonkwo’s comments are seen as a direct challenge to the political status quo, particularly the dominance of the three seasoned politicians: President Tinubu, who assumed office in 2023; Atiku, the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); and Obi, the former Anambra State governor who ran under the banner of the Labour Party.
Despite working closely with Obi during the 2023 general elections, where Obi garnered over six million votes and captured significant support among Nigeria’s youth, Okonkwo has now distanced himself from the LP leader. The actor-turned-politician said he would not back Obi in the next presidential election.
“I still maintain that. Whatever happened in 2023 should stay in 2023,” Okonkwo stated, signaling his intention to move forward with fresh faces in Nigeria’s political landscape. “I will not be supporting him in the next general polls.”
Okonkwo’s decision to step away from his previous political alliance with Obi is a surprising turn of events, given his previous role in helping the Labour Party build momentum during the last election cycle. His public disavowal of Obi’s leadership and the Labour Party marks a significant shift in his political trajectory.
The resignation came just one day after Okonkwo officially announced he was stepping down from his position within the Labour Party, citing internal conflicts and leadership issues. The Labour Party was one of the major political forces in the 2023 elections, surprising many with its strong performance, especially among young voters. However, Okonkwo’s exit reveals a growing dissatisfaction within the party, even as it attempts to chart a new course in Nigerian politics.
In his resignation speech, Okonkwo highlighted his frustration with the Labour Party’s internal squabbles, which he believed hindered its ability to move forward. He also made it clear that he would not be returning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party, which he had once been a member of before joining LP.
“I resigned [to leave APC] on principle,” Okonkwo said, referencing his departure from the ruling party in the past. However, he did not entirely rule out the possibility of rejoining the APC, albeit under very specific conditions. “Let me tell you, I will be the first person to admit if the APC changes today and is doing well for Nigeria,” Okonkwo remarked. “But as it stands now, the APC has failed to address the country’s challenges.”
