Okonkwo Ditches Labour Party, Leaves Obi's Camp

Kenneth Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo defects from Labour Party...

Okonkwo speaks out on Nigeria's political landscape, calling for a decisive leader with integrity to confront corrupt leaders and emphasizing the importance of good governance in preventing protests.

Kenneth Okonkwo, a veteran Nollywood actor and politician, has announced his exit from the Labour Party and severed ties with its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi. In a statement shared on social media, titled 'Political Journey to a Great Nigeria,' Okonkwo expressed his disillusionment with the party's internal conflicts and Obi's inability to resolve them, leading to his decision to leave.

Despite his aspiration for a Nigeria founded on equity, justice, and fairness, Okonkwo has lost faith in the ability of existing political parties, including the Labour Party, to drive the country towards greatness.

He said, “I am committed, irreversibly, to a great Nigeria built on equity, justice, and fairness, where every citizen will be free and able to aspire to any position or level in life without regard to primordial sentiments built around ethnicity, religion, sex, or circumstances of birth.

“It's obvious that the All Progressives Congress, APC or Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as presently constituted, do not have what it takes to lead us to a the majority of the people that will populate a government will proceed from the political party of the leader.”

Okonkwo compared a political party to a tree, suggesting that a party with corrupt roots cannot produce good leaders, no matter how sincere or well-intentioned the leader may be.

Nigeria's woes, according to Okonkwo, stem from a glaring absence of internal democracy within political parties. This systemic flaw enables unqualified and corrupt individuals to ascend to leadership positions, perpetuating the country's struggles.

Okonkwo stressed the urgent need for a visionary leader who can cultivate a party founded on integrity, character, and grassroots engagement. Such a leader, he believes, can transform the political landscape and usher in a new era of effective governance.

“We also need a decisive leader who will be selfless enough, in boldness and bravery, to secure our victory, when the people vote for such a leader because these corrupt and incompetent leaders are not willing to conduct free and fair elections and will always grab, snatch power from any weak and indecisive leader, and run away with it. Our judiciary has not proved to be equal to the task of preventing the emergence of electoral bandits who steal electoral victories at gunpoint in the public glare of everyone.

“I am earnestly searching for such a leader who has the integrity and also the commensurate charisma and bravery to mobilise the people to sustain victory if Nigeria votes for such a person. The time for calm down is over.”

Okonkwo reflected on the arduous fight to free Nigeria from corrupt leadership in 2023, only to have their hard-won victory snatched away. He expressed doubts about the judiciary's ability to uphold democracy, citing rampant judicial abuse, and instead urged citizens to take charge of their future by electing the right president and ensuring their inauguration.

Okonkwo emphasized the need for a strong, decisive leader to halt the current suffering and prevent corrupt leaders from extending their grip on power beyond 2027. He revealed that his decision to explore new political horizons was prompted by the Labour Party's current state, which has fallen short of his expectations. Okonkwo confessed that, like many Nigerians, he had high hopes for the Labour Party after the 2023 general election, but has since become disillusioned.

Okonkwo expressed his initial belief that Peter Obi possessed the potential to establish a robust, integrity-led party that could topple corrupt regimes, but noted that Obi needed to provide clear guidance and direction to harness the collective energy and commitment of his followers.

Okonkwo said, “I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn't promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria's problems. I was like, does it mean HE Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading nowhere politically? However, I continued in his defence believing he would still privately bring the needed solution to LP's problems. To no avail.

“PO also publicly demanded that the Abure-led National Working Committee must organise an all-inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders. This didn't happen, and surprisingly, PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time had expired.”

According to Okonkwo, the Labour Party is in a state of disarray, with members uncertain about the party's direction due to a perceived lack of leadership from Peter Obi. Okonkwo confessed that he is often approached by members seeking clarity on Obi's stance, but he is unable to provide guidance because he himself is in the dark.

Okonkwo stated that he can no longer serve as a spokesperson for a leader whose positions on crucial matters are unclear to him, as he is not willing to misrepresent or distort facts to suit an unknown agenda.

He added, “I am shocked that PO could not openly support the noble efforts of the Labour Unions who founded the Labour Party as a base to fight for the welfare of workers to the extent that some of them are openly saying that PO is now the problem of LP. The Labour Unions now have an unfortunate situation where they are fighting criminals who want to hijack their party when an ordinary statement from Peter Obi would have brought the solution. I cannot continue with this ambivalence forever.

“I am of course in full support of theLabour Unions and other stakeholders who are now compelled to fight for the soul of LP without the support of PO. However, the consequence is that I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win against these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn't have what it takes to secure the mandate. I don't intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.

“It's in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi. I am always 100% loyal to a leader whenever I am working or following the leader. At any time I have doubts within me that I can no longer offer 100% loyalty to him, I will respectfully let everyone know. When I joined his campaign, I made it public; now that I cannot guarantee my support for his future political aspirations, I believe I owe it to everyone to let them know.”

Okonkwo emphasized that his departure from the Labour Party is not a precursor to joining the APC or PDP, but rather a testament to his unwavering dedication to the Nigerian people and their quest for a more prosperous and equitable nation.

Okonkwo clarified that his decision to part ways with Peter Obi is driven by principles, not personal motives. He seeks a leader who embodies integrity, boldness, and decisiveness to challenge corrupt forces head-on.

Okonkwo announced that he is now free to engage in open discussions and consultations with like-minded individuals to determine their next political move. While he ruled out joining the APC or PDP for the time being, he hinted at the possibility of revamping the Labour Party. His primary goal remains to find a viable path towards a better Nigeria.

Okonkwo reaffirmed his conviction that Nigeria must reclaim its former glory, despite resistance from corrupt leaders. He emphasized that peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right and should never be suppressed, encouraging demonstrators to maintain a peaceful stance.

Okonkwo urged the government to exercise wisdom and restraint in handling protests, emphasizing that effective governance is the most effective way to prevent protests, as poor governance inevitably leads to unrest.