Veteran Nollywood actor, lawyer, and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has issued a warning regarding presidential aspirants who consider leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to pursue nominations from other parties. He stated that such individuals would essentially be “working for President Bola Tinubu.” Okonkwo made these remarks during an interview on Channels Television, where he addressed speculation surrounding former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s potential departure from the ADC if he fails to secure its sole presidential nomination.
Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, is one of the leading contenders for the ADC ticket, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi. Okonkwo characterized those who abandon the coalition as “mobile squatters” and accused them of being compromised. He questioned the effectiveness of any individual attempting to navigate the current crisis within the coalition, stating, “If all the coalition leaders are facing this crisis, even with unity, then what do you think one person can do going out? Anybody that goes out of the coalition is compromised and is working for Tinubu, whoever that person is.”
His comments come amid ongoing discussions within the ADC regarding its presidential ticket. In a separate interview on Arise News, Atiku Abubakar expressed his commitment to support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate, whether through consensus or primaries. The internal dynamics of the ADC reflect broader realignments in Nigeria’s political landscape as the next general election approaches. Formed from a coalition of opposition groups, the ADC aims to serve as an alternative platform for candidates looking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, tensions surrounding the presidential nomination have raised concerns about the coalition’s stability. Okonkwo’s remarks underscore the high stakes involved, as political figures grapple with balancing their personal ambitions against the coalition’s collective objectives. As the race for the presidency intensifies, the critical question remains whether the ADC can maintain its unity or will face further defections.
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