By Abiola Olawale
Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign council during the 2023 general election, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and a two-term governor of Anambra State Peter Obi, to step aside from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Okonkwo, a Nollywood actor-turned-politician, argued that these political leaders, who were the leading candidates in the 2023 election, should make way for fresh faces to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
He added that his statement is based on the alleged failures of both the ruling and opposition parties to address the issues facing Nigerians.
Okonkwo, who spoke during an interview with the Channels TV also faulted the opposition for failing to unite and provide a credible alternative, arguing that the same leaders who have dominated Nigerian politics for decades should not be allowed to contest again in 2027.
He also maintained that Nigeria needs leaders with fresh ideas and the energy to tackle issues like unemployment, insecurity, and corruption. In his view, recycling the same leaders will only perpetuate the status quo.
He said: “I said it, and I maintain it because in Nigeria, people will not give you their mandate, and you treat it with levity.
“You must do everything decisively to secure it. Unfortunately, nature has bestowed on us the duty that in Nigeria, you will not only win an election, but you have to fight for your mandate.”
The New Diplomat reports that Okonkwo has been a notable figure in Nigerian politics, particularly during the 2023 election cycle.
Initially, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he left the party in 2022, citing ideological differences and dissatisfaction with its governance.
He then joined the Labour Party and became a key spokesperson for Peter Obi’s presidential campaign, leveraging his public profile to mobilize support, particularly among the youth, who formed the backbone of Obi’s “Obidient” movement.
Obi, running under the LP, came third in the 2023 election, securing over six million votes, while Tinubu (APC) won the presidency, and Atiku (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP) came second.
However, by mid-2024, Okonkwo resigned from the LP, citing internal conflicts and leadership crises within the party.
