A former spokesman for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has announced his departure from the party and parted ways with former presidential candidate of the party Peter Obi.
In a statement titled “Political Journey to a Great Nigeria,” Okonkwo expressed his commitment to a great Nigeria built on equity, justice, and fairness, but stated that the current political parties, including the Labour Party, do not have what it takes to lead the country to greatness.
He said, “I am committed, irreversibly, to a great Nigeria built on equity, justice, and fairness, where every citizen will be free and able to aspire to any position or level in life without regard to primordial sentiments built around ethnicity, religion, sex, or circumstances of birth.”
Okonkwo attributed Nigeria’s problems to a lack of internal democracy within parties, which leads to the emergence of incompetent and corrupt leaders in government. He emphasized the need for a decisive leader who can build a party of integrity and character from the grassroots.
He said, “It’s obvious that the APC or PDP, as presently constituted, do not have what it takes to lead us to a great Nigeria. Indeed, their combined leadership is trying to cripple Nigeria as this blessed country is now down economically, politically, and in every other index, leaving the people with no other option than to protest for their survival. They can see no hope for the future.”
Okonkwo recalled the struggle to liberate Nigeria from corrupt leaders in 2023, only for the victory to be stolen. He expressed skepticism that the judiciary will deliver democracy due to judicial abuse, urging people to take control of their destiny by voting for the right president and ensuring that person is sworn in.
He stated, “We also need a decisive leader who will be selfless enough, in boldness and bravery, to secure our victory, when the people vote for such a leader because these corrupt and incompetent leaders are not willing to conduct free and fair elections and will always grab, snatch power from any weak and indecisive leader, and run away with it.”
Okonkwo said he believed Peter Obi had the potential to build a strong, integrity-driven party capable of overthrowing corrupt leaders but needed to provide the right directives, and everyone would follow. However, he expressed disappointment with Obi’s failure to address the party’s internal crisis and his refusal to disassociate himself from the “shenanigans and criminal activities” of the former National Working Committee.
He said, “I received my first shock when he 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 HE Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading nowhere politically?”
Okonkwo stated that every member of the Labour Party is confused about the party’s future due to a lack of leadership from Peter Obi. He admitted that when members look to him for guidance on Obi’s standpoint, he has nothing to say because he is unaware.
He stated, “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.”
Okonkwo declared that he is free to negotiate and consult with like-minded individuals to determine the next step in their political journey, stressing that this will not involve joining the APC or PDP for now but may include consolidating the Labour Party.
“However, the consequence is that I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win against 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.
“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,” he added.
