A recent statement by Kenneth Okonkwo, a veteran Nollywood actor and former Labour Party spokesperson, has sparked reactions in Nigeria’s political sphere.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Okonkwo declared, “I always tell people I don’t defect, I resign,” emphasizing his principled stance on political affiliations. He further proposed a coalition of opposition forces, urging all interested candidates to contest in a primary election to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Okonkwo’s comments come amid his warning that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could secure an easy re-election if the opposition fails to unite. He criticized recent defections to the APC, alleging they stem from fears of electoral manipulation rather than ideology. However, his call for a coalition has drawn skepticism from some quarters.
Arc Uche Rochas, reacting on X, suggested that Okonkwo’s proposal might be a strategic move by Tinubu’s camp to undermine Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate. Rochas argued that any coalition denying Atiku an automatic ticket could be a ploy to ambush the northern politician during primaries, stating, “Kenneth is working for BAT.” This claim reflects Nigeria’s delicate North-South power rotation dynamics, a recurring theme in its politics.
Here is what he wrote on his official X handle
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