Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson of the Labour Party (LP), has publicly accused Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, of betrayal and poor leadership. His remarks come amid a lingering crisis within the party over factional control and electoral strategies.
In an interview with Symfoni TV, Okonkwo criticized Obi for siding with Julius Abure’s faction earlier, which he alleged had ties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He claimed Obi ignored repeated warnings to distance himself from Abure’s camp, worsening the divisions within the party.
“The problem is that Peter Obi refused to manage the party,” Okonkwo said. “He chose to align with the very people who are allegedly hobnobbing with the APC. When people advised him to separate himself from that faction, he paid deaf ears.”
Allegations of Political Betrayal and Weak Leadership
Okonkwo accused Obi of alienating dedicated party members by endorsing candidates from other parties in recent elections. He described Obi as a “politician of convenience, not conviction,” claiming the former Anambra governor lacks the qualities of a team player and strong leader.
He recalled the enthusiasm that surrounded LP’s 2023 campaign and the belief that the party had won the election.
“When we started in 2023, it was an organic movement. Every Nigerian wanted change. I joined of my own accord, and when I was appointed spokesperson, I gave it my all,” he said. “We believe we won the election. But instead of consolidating for 2027, Obi has failed to even start with his own party.”
Okonkwo formally left LP earlier in the year and rejected claims that his departure was a betrayal of Obi. He argued that he had been the one abandoned by the party’s leadership.
“Any politician who knows what he is doing cannot be betrayed by anybody. If there is anybody who betrayed the other, I can say it emphatically that Peter Obi betrayed me,” he stated.
Questions Over Obi’s Political Strength
Okonkwo questioned Obi’s ability to transform electoral support into an actual mandate.
“He has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate,” he claimed.
Before leaving LP, Okonkwo had described the party as “a secret society led by a group of clowns,” citing frustration with its internal leadership and strategic direction.
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