Politician, Nollywood actor and lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, has strongly criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of operating like a department under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said the electoral body has become a major obstacle to the growth of a strong opposition in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Okonkwo dismissed claims that the emerging opposition coalition is in disarray. He explained that talks are still at an early stage, and current discussions are focused on shared goals, not individual ambitions.
“How can something be in disarray when it has not started?” he asked. “What we have now are common priorities. We don’t have individual differences yet because the time for ambition has not come. Right now, we’re discussing the available options.”
However, Okonkwo noted that one of the biggest threats facing the opposition is what he described as INEC’s lack of independence and transparency. He alleged that the commission now acts like an arm of the APC and deliberately frustrates opposition efforts.
“With INEC as a department of APC, you know they put unnecessary roadblocks in the way of the opposition and engage in a lot of rough tackles,” he said. “They make it difficult for opposition forces to register new political parties or even operate freely.”
According to Okonkwo, in a country where the rule of law is respected, it would be ideal for opposition members to come together under a new political party. But he said INEC has made that difficult through what he called “deliberate and unreasonable delays” in approving party registrations.
“In a nation governed by the rule of law, registering a new party would have been the best step. But INEC tends to delay even the obvious, so we can’t afford to put all our eggs in one basket,” he explained.
As a result, Okonkwo revealed that opposition leaders are now considering aligning with an existing political party that shares their goal of restoring true democracy to Nigeria. He said the coalition is more focused on building a democratic society than just preparing for elections.
“It’s not just about the 2027 elections,” he said. “We want a Nigeria where elections are free, fair, and credible — where people’s votes truly count.”
He also highlighted the need to protect fundamental freedoms, including the rights of journalists, the independence of the judiciary, and respect for the rule of law.
“You know how some of you journalists have been arrested for just saying the truth,” he told the ARISE hosts. “We want a Nigeria where the press is free, the courts are independent, and the rights of citizens are respected.”
INEC has not yet responded to Okonkwo’s claims, but the commission has faced criticism in recent times, especially after the 2023 general elections, which many observers described as lacking transparency and fairness in certain areas.
Kenneth Okonkwo, who is also an actor-turned-politician, was a former spokesperson for the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election. He remains an active voice in political discourse and has continued to push for reforms within Nigeria’s electoral and governance systems.
With talks ongoing among opposition figures and groups, Okonkwo said the movement is committed to unity and accountability. “It is not about individuals. It is about building a better Nigeria — one where democracy works, and the people are in charge,” he concluded.
