Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party are no longer viable as functional political entities, existing only in name. According to Okonkwo, the leadership of these parties has openly supported other political parties, rendering them irrelevant.
In a recent interview on Channels TV’s breakfast show, Okonkwo cited the African Democratic Congress as an example of a more functional political structure. The ADC’s recent coalition, which led to the emergence of new leadership, was characterized by Okonkwo as a full absorption into a single entity, rather than a merger. This development is notable, as it marks a first in Nigerian politics, where the national executive of a party has resigned to allow a new executive to take over.
Okonkwo emphasized that the concept of a coalition implies an alliance for a specific purpose, where parties work together under a single banner. In the case of the ADC, the coalition has dissolved into a unified party, with no intention of maintaining separate identities. This, according to Okonkwo, is in contrast to the PDP and LP, which have lost their effectiveness as political platforms.
The PDP and LP, Okonkwo argued, are merely existing on paper, as their leaders have publicly declared support for other parties. This shift in allegiance, particularly two years prior to the next election, signifies the end of these parties as functional entities. With their leaders backing presidential candidates from other parties, the PDP and LP have, in effect, ceased to operate as independent political forces.
The evolution of Nigeria’s political landscape has significant implications for the country’s electoral process. As parties continue to realign and reconfigure, the ADC’s novel approach to coalition-building may serve as a model for future political collaborations. Meanwhile, the fate of the PDP and LP remains uncertain, with their ability to regain relevance and influence hanging in the balance.
