In a recent interview from 4:00 on Signature TV, barrister Kenneth Okonkwo spoke about the ongoing nationwide protests, rising ethnic tensions, and social media controversies fueling division in the country. Okonkwo sharply criticized the selective targeting of certain groups while ignoring others who openly incite or threaten violence.
According to Okonkwo, “Bayo Onanuga called out the names of some politicians in the Southeast and said they are planning a protest,” he stated, highlighting what he described as an unfair and misleading narrative. According to Okonkwo, the claims that the Southeast is responsible for the protests are inaccurate, as the demonstrations are primarily a response to nationwide hardship, hunger, and economic mismanagement, rather than regional or ethnic agendas.
He also condemned previous statements by political aides and social media campaigns that vilify Nigerians based on their ethnicity. Okonkwo warned that such rhetoric is dangerous and could provoke larger conflicts if left unchecked. “It is unwise for anyone to threaten a people who are present everywhere and have the capacity to defend themselves,” he said.
Okonkwo further criticized the president’s recent speech on the protests, describing it as disconnected from the reality of Nigerians’ daily struggles. He argued that promises of urban development funds and palliative measures do little to address the core issues of hunger, high electricity tariffs, and the declining value of the naira.
The activist emphasized that the Southeast, like all regions, is exercising its democratic right to vote and express dissatisfaction with governance. He described the decision not to vote for an underperforming government as the “greatest protest in a democracy.”
Okonkwo further stated that the government must stop misrepresenting who is behind the protests and focus on addressing the real issues affecting Nigerians rather than fueling division for political gain.
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