Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesman for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council, has announced his departure from the party.
Okonkwo has also parted ways with former presidential candidate of LP, Peter Obi .
In a statement titled “Political Journey to a Great Nigeria,” which he shared on his social media platforms on Saturday, Okonkwo cited his disappointment with the party’s internal crisis and the failure of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to address it.
Okonkwo expressed his commitment to a great Nigeria built on equity, justice, and fairness, but stated that the current political parties, including the Labour Party, do not have what it takes to lead the country to greatness.
He said, “I am committed, irreversibly, to a great Nigeria built on equity, justice, and fairness, where every citizen will be free and able to aspire to any position or level in life without regard to primordial sentiments built around ethnicity, religion, sex, or circumstances of birth.”
“It’s obvious that the APC or PDP, as presently constituted, do not have what it takes to lead us to a great Nigeria. Indeed, their combined leadership is trying to cripple Nigeria as this blessed country is now down economically, politically, and in every other index, leaving the people with no other option than to protest for their survival. They can see no hope for the future.
“Unfortunately, by our Constitution, we need a solid political party with a solid grassroots base to be able to wrestle power from these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. We, therefore, need a decisive leader who will be able to build such a party of integrity and character from the grassroots because, eventually, the majority of the people that will populate a government will proceed from the political party of the leader.”
He likened a party to a political tree that produces the leadership cadre in government, stating that a corrupt tree cannot produce good fruits regardless of the leader’s integrity and intentions.
He attributed Nigeria’s problems to a lack of internal democracy within parties, which leads to the emergence of incompetent and corrupt leaders in government.
He emphasised the need for a decisive leader who can build a party of integrity and character from the grassroots.
“We also need a decisive leader who will be selfless enough, in boldness and bravery, to secure our victory, when the people vote for such a leader because these corrupt and incompetent leaders are not willing to conduct free and fair elections and will always grab, snatch power from any weak and indecisive leader, and run away with it. Our judiciary has not proved to be equal to the task of preventing the emergence of electoral bandits who steal electoral victories at gunpoint in the public glare of everyone.
“I am earnestly searching for such a leader who has the integrity and also the commensurate charisma and bravery to mobilise the people to sustain victory if Nigeria votes for such a person. The time for calm down is over.”
Okonkwo recalled the struggle to liberate Nigeria from corrupt leaders in 2023, only for the victory to be stolen. He expressed scepticism that the judiciary will deliver democracy due to judicial abuse, urging people to take control of their destiny by voting for the right president and ensuring that person is sworn in.
He also stressed the need for a decisive leader to stop the current suffering and prevent these leaders from remaining in power beyond 2027.
Okonkwo added that the current situation in the Labour Party has motivated him to pursue a new political direction, adding that after the 2023 general election, many Nigerians, including himself, had high hopes for the Labour Party.
Okonkwo said he believed Peter Obi had the potential to build a strong, integrity-driven party capable of overthrowing corrupt leaders but needed to provide the right directives, and everyone would follow.
Okonkwo said, “I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria’s problems. I was like, does it mean HE Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading nowhere politically? However, I continued in his defence believing he would still privately bring the needed solution to LP’s problems. To no avail.
“PO also publicly demanded that the Abure-led National Working Committee must organise an all-inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders. This didn’t happen, and surprisingly, PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time had expired.”
Okonkwo said that every member of the Labour Party is confused about the party’s future due to a lack of leadership from Peter Obi. He admitted that when members look to him for guidance on Obi’s standpoint, he has nothing to say because he is unaware.
Okonkwo added that he cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader whose stance on important issues is unknown to him, as he does not know how to manipulate facts.
He added, “I am shocked that PO could not openly support the noble efforts of the Labour Unions who founded the Labour Party as a base to fight for the welfare of workers to the extent that some of them are openly saying that PO is now the problem of LP. The Labour Unions now have an unfortunate situation where they are fighting criminals who want to hijack their party when an ordinary statement from Peter Obi would have brought the solution. I cannot continue with this ambivalence forever.
“I am of course in full support of the Labour Unions and other stakeholders who are now compelled to fight for the soul of LP without the support of PO.
“However, the consequence is that I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win against these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate. I don’t intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.
“It’s in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi. I am always 100% loyal to a leader whenever I am working or following the leader. At any time I have doubts within me that I can no longer offer 100% loyalty to him, I will respectfully let everyone know. When I joined his campaign, I made it public; now that I cannot guarantee my support for his future political aspirations, I believe I owe it to everyone to let them know.”
Okonkwo said the decision to leave the Labour Party has nothing to do with joining the APC or PDP, as he remains committed to the Nigerian people and their aspirations for a better Nigeria.
He also noted that his decision to distance himself from Peter Obi is based on principles, not personal reasons, as he seeks a decisive, bold leader with integrity to confront corrupt leaders.
Okonkwo declared that he is free to negotiate and consult with like-minded individuals to determine the next step in their political journey, stressing that this will not involve joining the APC or PDP for now but may include consolidating the Labour Party.
Okonkwo stated that Nigeria must regain its greatness despite opposition from corrupt leaders. He emphasised that protest is a democratic right and should not be prevented, urging protesters to remain peaceful.
Okonkwo called on the government to use wisdom and restraint in managing protests, highlighting that good governance is the best way to avoid protests, as bad governance makes them inevitable.
(Punch)
