A former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over reports that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential coalition plans to select its vice-presidential candidate from the South-South region.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Okonkwo described the alleged decision as “unfortunate,” warning that it would further marginalize the South-East region, which has not produced a president or vice president since the return to democracy in 1999.
Okonkwo argued that denying the South-East the opportunity to produce either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate on the ADC ticket for the 2027 election would amount to an “unpardonable injustice.”
He referenced the sacrifices made by the founder and former National Chairman of the ADC, Ralph Nwosu, who he said relinquished control of the party to facilitate a coalition aimed at producing a better Nigeria.
“I heard from social media that the ADC has picked its vice-presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalization of the South-East,” Okonkwo wrote.
“I did not join the coalition to assist in the further marginalization of my own people. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it would amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027.”
The actor-turned-politician revealed that his sole appeal to Atiku—who had previously positioned himself as a facilitator for a future South-East presidency—was to demonstrate that commitment by choosing a running mate from the region.
Okonkwo warned that if the reports of a South-South running mate are confirmed, he will withdraw his support and decline to campaign for the ticket in 2027.
He reiterated that his entry into politics was driven by the fight for an egalitarian Nigeria where no region or group is marginalized, insisting that the South-East deserves fair representation on the presidential ticket.
