Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has stated that Nigerians are dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s administration and must work towards his exit by the 2027 election. Okonkwo, a lawyer and prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the declaration in a post on X, writing, “We’ve had enough! Tinubu has to go in 2027.”
In his social media post, Okonkwo positioned the ADC as the only credible opposition party ahead of the next presidential poll. He then turned his criticism toward Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of hypocrisy regarding defections from political parties.
Okonkwo referenced a 2023 Federal High Court ruling that allowed Akpabio to retain his Senate seat after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The court, presided over by Justice Okon Abang, affirmed that a party expulsion does not invalidate an elected official’s mandate, permitting them to join a new party.
Contrasting this with the treatment of Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, Okonkwo alleged that Akpabio is now harassing Abaribe for joining the ADC following his expulsion from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). “It’s shameful that the same Akpabio is harassing Senator Abaribe for joining ADC when he was expelled by his party, APGA,” Okonkwo stated.
He further cited the case of Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, who defected from APGA to the APC and was reportedly welcomed by APC legislators. “Dubious double standards,” Okonkwo added, suggesting unequal treatment of defectors based on their party destination.
Okonkwo’s statements underscore the ADC’s effort to frame itself as a central alternative to the APC and the main opposition PDP. By highlighting defection dynamics and judicial precedents, he seeks to legitimize his party’s role while questioning the motives of senior APC figures. The comments reflect ongoing political realignments and tensions as Nigeria looks toward the 2027 general election, with opposition groups attempting to consolidate a credible challenge to the ruling party.
