in a shocking turn of events,Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo has announced his exit from the Labour Party and withdrawn his support for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Okonkwo, who was once a spokesperson for the party, cited his disappointment with Obi’s leadership style, describing him as “spineless, weak and indecisive”.
Okonkwo’s criticism of Obi’s handling of internal party conflicts has sparked a heated debate among Labour Party supporters. The actor’s decision to leave the party is seen as a significant blow to Obi’s campaign, which has been gaining momentum in recent months. Okonkwo’s departure is also expected to raise questions about the party’s ability to hold onto its high-profile supporters.
In a statement, Okonkwo explained that he was leaving the Labour Party in search of a “decisive leader” who can build a strong party from the grassroots. His comments have sparked a mix of reactions on social media, with some supporting his decision and others criticizing him for abandoning the party at a critical moment. The development is expected to have significant implications for the Labour Party’s chances in the upcoming elections.
Okonkwo cited Obi’s nonchalant attitude towards the party’s leadership crisis and his inability to build a strong, grassroots-based party as reasons for his exit.
Okonkwo expressed disappointment in Obi’s statement that he didn’t promise to build a strong Labour Party but rather to solve Nigeria’s problems. He accused Obi of being a coward and incapable of winning a presidential election or sustaining his mandate.
The actor emphasized the need for a decisive leader who can build a solid party with a grassroots base to wrestle power from the ruling party. He declared his search for such a leader, stating that he would no longer support Obi or the Labour Party.
“By our Constitution, we need a solid political party with a solid grassroots base to be able to wrestle power from these kakistocrats and kleptocrats”, Kenneth Okonkwo said.
“We therefore, need a decisive leader who will be able to build such a party of integrity and character from the grassroots because eventually, the majority of the people that will populate a government will proceed from the political party of the leader.
“A party is like a political tree that produces the fruit of the leadership cadre in government. A corrupt tree will never birth good fruits no matter the integrity and good intentions of the leader. Nigeria’s problems today come from lack of internal democracy in the parties which become a breeding ground for the production of incompetent and corrupt leaders in government”, Okonkwo added.
Mr. Kenneth Okonkwo went further to declare that he is searching for a decisive leader who will be selfless enough, in boldness and bravery, to secure an electoral victory, when the people vote for such a leader.
“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 the victory, if Nigeria votes for such a person. The time for calm down is over”, he stated.
“I recall how we suffered and risked all to liberate Nigeria from the shackles of these kakistocrats and kleptocrats in 2023 only for the victory to be stolen. It is obvious that the judiciary will not give us democracy because of abuse of the judicial process. The people must take their destiny into their own hands. They must be willing to vote for the right person as the President and must be willing to fight to ensure that the person is sworn in as President.
“However, the person must be willing to be in the forefront of such endeavour. The suffering Nigerians are going through now from the people they didn’t vote for, but who snatched power, can not be allowed to continue. These people will remain in power come 2027 unless a decisive leader emerges to stop them with the votes of the people.
“What is happening in the Labour Party has inspired in me a determination to chart a new course for my political journey. After the 2023 general elections, Nigerians, including me had high hopes for the Labour Party. I believe that Peter Obi will seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that will have the solid base that we need to overthrow these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. He just needed to give the right directives and everyone would fall in line.
“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 privately bring the needed solutions to LP problems, to no avail.
“PO (Peter Obi) 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 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.
“Every member of the Labour Party is confused today as to the future of the Labour Party because of the lack of leadership from PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself. I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts.
“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 the PO would have brought the solution. I cannot continue with this ambivalence forever.
“I am of course in full support of the Labour 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 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 is in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi”, Kenneth Okonkwo declared.
Okonkwo’s departure comes amid a leadership crisis in the Labour Party, with several lawmakers defecting to other parties. Peter Obi’s political future remains uncertain, with speculation surrounding his potential return to the PDP.
What’s Next for Kenneth Okonkwo?
1. With his departure from the Labour Party, Okonkwo has begun negotiations and consultations to determine his next political move. Sources suggest he may rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC). As Okonkwo charts a new course in his political journey, his fans and supporters eagerly await his next step.
