Kenneth Okonkwo Defies Obi’s Endorsement, Abandons Abure-led LP Amid Defection Speculations

Kenneth Okonkwo, once the voice behind Peter Obi’s presidential campaign, has severed ties with the Labour Party’s National Working Committee under Julius Abure’s leadership. Okonkwo, a prominent Nollywood figure turned politician, denounced the recent National Convention orchestrated by Abure as riddled with criminality and corruption.

“I am suspending my relationship in all ramifications with the purported Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party,” Okonkwo declared via his X account on Tuesday. He emphasized his commitment to integrity over expedience, affirming, “For me, it’s either a new Nigeria or nothing. I prefer to lose doing the right thing to winning doing the wrong thing.”

Okonkwo’s departure from the Labour Party stems from his staunch opposition to what he perceives as incompetence and dishonesty within its ranks, echoing concerns previously raised by others. In April, the Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists’ Assembly demanded the resignations of both Abure and Joe Ajaero, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress, amidst scandalous revelations engulfing the party. The Assembly deplored the “rape of democracy” under Abure’s stewardship and criticized his unilateral decision-making and disregard for the party’s constitution.

Amidst Okonkwo’s departure from the Labour Party, speculation looms regarding his potential defection to the ruling APC.