By Hadiza Suleman
Mr Kenneth Okonkwo, former spokesman of the Presidential Campaign Council of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, says LP’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, lacks the capacity to protect voters’ mandates given to him, hence his decision to ditch the former Anambra governor.
Okonkwo, lawyer and veteran Nollywood actor, disclosed his decision to abandon Obi in a post via his social media handle.
He criticised Obi for not seeking the solutions to the crisis in Labour Party, but rather validating the leadership that its tenure has expired. He expressed anger over the pains “Nigerians are going through now from the people they didn’t vote for, but who snatched power, cannot be allowed to continue”.
Okonkwo regretted that, “These people will still remain in power come 2027 unless a decisive leader emerges to stop them with the votes of the people.” He said what is happening in LP had informed his determination to chart a new course for his political journey.
He wrote, “After the 2023 general election, Nigerians, including me, had high hopes for the Labour Party. I believed that Peter Obi will seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that will have the solid base that we need to overthrow these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. He just needed to give the right directives and everyone would fall in line.
“My first shock was when Obi publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria’s problems. I was like, does it mean Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading to nowhere politically?
“However, I continued in his defence believing he will still privately bring the needed solution to LP problems, to no avail. Peter Obi also publicly demanded that the Abure-led National Working Committee organise an all-inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders.
“This didn’t happen, and surprisingly Obi refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC (National Working Committee) as their time has expired.
“Every member of the Labour Party is confused today as to the future of the Labour Party because of the lack of leadership from Obi over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself.
“I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts. I am shocked that PO could not openly support the noble efforts of the labour unions who founded the Labour Party as a base to fight for the welfare of workers to the extent that some of them are openly saying that PO is now the problem of LP.
“The Labour Unions now have the unfortunate situation where they are fighting criminals who want to hijack their party when an ordinary statement from PO would have brought the solution. I cannot continue with this ambivalence forever.
“I am of course in full support of the labour unions and other stakeholders who are now compelled to fight for the soul of LP without the support of PO.”
To that end, stated Okonkwo, “I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate.
“I don’t intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.
“It’s in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi.
“I am always 100% loyal to a leader whenever I am working or following the leader. At any time I have doubts within me that I can no longer offer 100% loyalty to him, I will respectfully let everyone know.
“When I joined his campaign, I made it public. Now that I cannot guarantee my support for his future political aspirations, I believe I owe it to everyone to let everyone know.
“This has nothing to do with any desire to join APC or PDP. I will perpetually be joined to the Nigerian people and their aspirations for a new, better, and great Nigeria,” he stated.
“There’s also absolutely nothing personal with my decision to adjust my relationship with HE Peter Obi. It’s 100% based on principles and my conviction that I need a more decisive, bold, brave leader with integrity and team spirit who can confront these kakistocrats and kleptocrats head on. I will continue to respect him and cherish the periods we worked together.
“With this declaration, I am free to embark on negotiation and consultation with every like minded people to determine the next step in my political journey, which does not include joining APC or PDP for now, but includes, and not limited to, consolidation of the Labour Party.”
