Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, has announced his departure from the party.
He made this announcement in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday.
Okonkwo, who joined the Labour Party in 2022, said he decided to leave because the party failed to provide effective leadership to address Nigeria’s issues. He also expressed disappointment with LP presidential candidate Peter Obi, stating that Obi did not do enough to strengthen the party or resolve its leadership problems.
In a statement titled “Political Journey to a Great Nigeria,” shared on his social media platforms on Saturday, Okonkwo criticized Obi for failing to address the party’s leadership crisis.
He said, “I am committed, irreversibly, to a great Nigeria built on equity, justice, and fairness.” However, he believes that the current political parties, including the Labour Party, lack the capability to lead Nigeria to greatness.
Okonkwo expressed his frustration with both the APC and PDP, stating, “It’s obvious that the APC or PDP, as presently constituted, do not have what it takes to lead us to a great Nigeria.” He argued that these parties are contributing to Nigeria’s current economic and political problems.
He also criticized Obi for not building a strong party and for his perceived failure to lead effectively. Okonkwo remarked, “I no longer have the confidence that Peter Obi has what it takes to build a party that can win against these kakistocrats and kleptocrats.” He added that Obi’s inability to build a solid party base was a major factor in his decision to leave.
Okonkwo underscored the need for a decisive leader who can create a party of integrity and character from the grassroots. He pointed out that the lack of internal democracy within parties has led to the rise of corrupt leaders. “A corrupt tree cannot produce good fruits regardless of the leader’s integrity and intentions,” he said.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the Labour Party’s current state and noted that many Nigerians, including himself, had high hopes for the party after the 2023 elections. Okonkwo stated, “I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party.” He criticized Obi for not supporting the Labour Unions, which originally founded the party to advocate for workers’ welfare.
Despite his departure, Okonkwo emphasized that his decision is based on principles, not personal grievances. He affirmed that he is not planning to join the APC or PDP but is open to consulting with like-minded individuals for his next political steps. He urged the government to manage protests wisely and emphasized that good governance is the best way to prevent unrest.
