Kenneth Okonkwo Clarifies Party Status: “I Didn’t Defect from APC but Resigned”

Nollywood actor turned politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has set the record straight regarding his political affiliation, asserting that he did not defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) but rather resigned from the party. This clarification comes after Okonkwo’s departure from the APC in 2022, citing the party’s adoption of a Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election.

Approximately a month after bidding farewell to the APC, the 55-year-old joined the Labour Party (LP) with a commitment to supporting the presidential aspirations of Peter Obi. However, in a recent interview with Channels, Okonkwo emphasized his discomfort with the term “defection,” asserting that he resigned from the ruling party.

“I am usually not comfortable with the word defection. I resigned from APC and I joined another party. You defect when you move from one party to another,” Okonkwo clarified during the interview.

He elaborated on the distinction, highlighting that defection typically occurs when an individual shifts allegiance from one political party to another while occupying an elected office. In his case, he emphasized the act of resignation before joining the Labour Party, categorizing it as a distinct choice rather than a defection.

Okonkwo, who also shared insights into his previous call for Igbo people to join the APC in 2019, continues to navigate the political landscape with his decision to align with the Labour Party for the realization of his political goals.