“Labour Party Leadership a Bunch of Clowns” – Kenneth Okonkwo Criticizes LP, Hints at Possible Departure to APC

Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent figure within the Labour Party (LP), has voiced strong discontent with recent events in the party. Okonkwo, who served as a spokesperson for the LP’s presidential campaign in the 2023 elections, described the party as “a secret society led by a group of clowns.”

He criticized the LP for lacking the integrity needed to exploit the internal crises of other political parties. The LP has been mired in a leadership crisis since Lamidi Apapa, the deputy national chairman (south), declared himself the acting national chairman last year.

The turmoil escalated in 2024 when Julius Abure was re-elected as chairman during a contentious national convention in Anambra, which was not monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party’s Board of Trustees condemned the convention as a “charade” and declared Abure’s tenure over.

In an interview with Symfoni, Okonkwo expressed frustration with the LP’s direction and did not rule out rejoining another party if the situation does not improve. He emphasized his commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and criticized the LP’s inability to conduct a credible national convention.

“My own Labour Party is not impressing me. Assuming they continue on this trajectory where they cannot even hold an acceptable national convention, then you’d tell me I’d be there?” Okonkwo stated.

He revealed his shock at learning about the LP’s convention through social media, initially thinking it was fake news. He described the convention as a “leprous” event rejected in Umuahia, calling the LP leadership “clowns” and accusing them of running a “secret society.”

Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor turned politician, left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, opposing the party’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket for the 2023 election. Shortly after, he joined the LP, pledging support for Peter Obi’s presidential ambitions.