Veteran Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has defected to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), urging Nigerians to join the party as a vehicle to address the nation’s deepening security and economic crises.
Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, announced his move in a video message on his X page. He stated that his decision aligns with the ADC’s constitutional commitment to the welfare and development of Nigerians. “I joined this great party because the constitution of our great party says we are in pursuit of the welfare of the nation and our people,” he said.
His entry into the ADC comes amid widespread public frustration over insecurity, soaring fuel costs, and allegations of corruption and incompetence in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government. Okonkwo argued that the country has endured significant hardship and that the ADC represents a necessary rescue mission. “This country has suffered so much because of the lack of security of its citizens and the ADC has come to the rescue of Nigerians,” he stated.
He warned that Nigeria may not withstand another four-year term under the current leadership, citing persistent challenges. “We will not be able to endure four more years of unavailability and high cost of fuel, insecurity, corruption, incompetence,” Okonkwo said, adding that the nation faces international criticism as a result.
Directly critiquing the APC, he contended that its continued leadership would be untenable. “ADC for the rescue; we may not survive another four years of the incompetence and corruption of the APC,” he remarked.
Okonkwo positioned his defection as part of a broader effort to reposition Nigeria, calling on citizens to collectively support the ADC. “I joined ADC as part of the rescue team and I’m urging all Nigerians to join ADC so that we will save our country from imminent collapse,” he concluded.
The ADC, a smaller opposition party, is seeking to expand its influence as public discontent with the major parties grows. Okonkwo’s high-profile switch highlights ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, framing the party as an alternative platform focused on governance and national welfare. His message underscores the intense political pressure on the APC to address multifaceted crises, from security failures to economic instability, as opposition groups consolidate their narratives for the future.
