Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson and key figure in the Labour Party (LP), has openly accused Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, of betrayal and ineffective leadership amid persistent internal conflicts within the party.
In an interview with Symfoni TV, Okonkwo criticized Obi, alleging that Obi’s alignment with the faction led by Julius Abure, which he claimed has ties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has worsened the party’s divisions. He stated that Obi disregarded repeated calls to distance himself from Abure’s group, a choice Okonkwo believes has exacerbated the party’s internal rifts.
“The problem is that Peter Obi refused to manage the party,” Okonkwo said. “He chose to align with the very people who are allegedly hobnobbing with the APC. When people advised him to separate himself from that faction, he paid deaf ears.”
The actor-turned-politician accused Obi of sidelining dedicated party members by supporting candidates from rival political parties in recent elections. He also labeled Obi as a “politician of convenience, not conviction,” asserting that the former Anambra governor lacks the attributes of a collaborative and capable leader.
“When we started in 2023, it was an organic movement. Every Nigerian wanted change. I joined of my own accord, and when I was appointed spokesperson, I gave it my all,” Okonkwo stated. “We believe we won the election. But instead of consolidating for 2027, Obi has failed to even start with his own party.”
Okonkwo, who exited the LP in July 2024, rejected claims that his departure amounted to a betrayal of Obi. Instead, he maintained that he was the one who had been betrayed.
“Any politician who knows what he is doing cannot be betrayed by anybody. If there is anybody who betrayed the other, I can say it emphatically that Peter Obi betrayed me,” he said.
He further argued that Obi lacks the ability to transform electoral support into a secured mandate. “He has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate,” he added.
A month prior to his exit, Okonkwo had described the LP as “a secret society led by a group of clowns,” expressing frustration with the party’s internal management and strategic vision.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli