Kenneth Okonkwo, Nollywood actor turned politician and former Labour Party spokesperson, has challenged the notion that Igbos are hated or disregarded in their own country. His comments come amid ongoing conversations about ethnic unity and representation in Nigerian politics.
In a recent conversation with Symfoni TV from 4:22, Okonkwo insisted there’s a deep bond tying all ethnic groups together in the country.
Drawing from his own experience as a film star, he explained how much love and support he received from Nigerians across tribes—a reality that, he said, stands in contrast to the messages of division often peddled by the political class.
He recounted his rise to fame through the iconic movie ‘Living in Bondage.’ According to him, when the film was first released, there was no industry like Nollywood, yet the production captured the hearts of many—Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo alike—who fell in love with its storyline.
The first version was entirely in Igbo, but due to growing popularity and appeal from Yoruba and Hausa people, there was a strong demand to add subtitles to the movie. This, for him, was a powerful affirmation of unity.
“That’s why nobody can convince me today that there is any part of Nigeria that hates Ndigbo. No, you cannot convince me because that movie that was shot in Igbo, they showed love for it. They showed love for us that we were speaking Igbo in it,” Okonkwo stressed.
He further explained that there’s no conflict between ordinary people—instead, the political elite manipulates ethnic and religious differences for their own gain.
The actor-turned-politician called for unity, noting, “It is the manipulation of the elites to divide the people so that they can govern them. So ‘Living in Bondage’ was an eye-opener to me.”
