Kenneth Okonkwo Withdraws Support for Atiku, Cites South-East Marginalisation
Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone.
Okonkwo’s decision followed the official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, from the South-South, as Atiku’s vice-presidential running mate for the 2027 general election.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates unpardonable injustice against his people.
He emphasized that the region has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999 and noted that the ADC’s founder, Ralphs Nwosu, did not sacrifice leadership of the party in 2025 to enable the marginalisation of his own zone.
Okonkwo maintained that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that fails to include a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027.
Okonkwo shared his decision in a statement released on his official X handle:
I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.
This Geo-Political Zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation.
The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people.
I did not join the coalition to assist in marginalisation of my own people further. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.
I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, Geo-Political Zone, or person will be marginalised.
The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice.
If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.
Okonkwo has finally lost it.
He is completely confused.
Who was he looking at,as possible VP candidate when he was printing all those rubbish about PO?
Could he be possibly positioning himself for selection?
He has dribbled himself out of the “field.”
So Kenneth Okonkwo was calculating that Atiku would make him his VP. No wonder he was fighting and insulting Peter Obi openly, thinking he was selling himself to Atiku. A political feather weight like him. Can you imagine!! What is his political value? What is his relevance? Can he even win an election in his ward? So must be over rating himself. It’s now that Atiku didn’t choose you that you all.of a sudden realized you are fighting for the igbo tribe. The Peter Obi that you had been doing your best to pull down, is he not an ibo man trying to be the President? Self centered human being, fighting for his stomach and pretending to be a social critic. Now he has lost whatever credibility he had left
So you are blackmailing PO to get the vice president slot from ADC. Otilooo.
Shame on you
So you wanted Atiku to pick you as running mate? You dey play.
Kenneth Okonkwo, before you retire from politics, remember to go and pay Peter Obi the five billion naira you owe him for blackmail.
Prodigal son
Kenneth is actually confused one can’t say where you stand and it really hurts to see you act this way..
You run your mouth carelessly and want people to keep listening to you.
I think you need a break to reset your self.
South east no believe you again!!
If you built yourself a political structure using your influence in the entertainment industry, you should have been a hot choice for the VP position any time.
What did you do? You went about blabbing and now, you have blabbed yourself away.
Just go and rest. You are not fit for politics. You have been fighting Peter Obi who is the beacon of hope for the East.
I am not an Obi fan, neither am I from the East, but as far as I’m concerned…
You are a confused and funny fellow.
It is not too late for you to retrace your mistake brother Okonkwo. You are once obedient and you can still be obedient. PO. Is far better than other aspirants and you know that. Comeback to your brother and join force, if what you said is what you mean. What Nigerians need is change and PO and Kwakwaso will bring the change Nigerians need. Enemy of Nigerians have started sharing rice and semo, to continue keep NIGERIANS in boundage but not this time. Nigerians will defend their votes this time.