Former Labour Party chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo has stirred fresh political debate after declaring that any move by Peter Obi to leave the African Democratic Congress would amount to indirectly working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television, Okonkwo reacted to ongoing speculation that Obi might consider exiting the ADC if he fails to clinch the party’s sole presidential ticket ahead of the next election cycle.
The outspoken political figure did not mince words, insisting that any presidential aspirant who abandons the party amid its current internal challenges should be viewed with suspicion.
“If he leaves, will he now be a mobile squadron? Anybody, any presidential aspirant in ADC… that leaves ADC for another party is a mobile squatter,” he said.
Okonkwo went even further, alleging that such a move would signal alignment with the ruling government.
“Then two, he is working for Tinubu. Because if all the coalition leaders are facing through all this crisis, even with unity, then what do you think one person can do going out?” he added.
Doubling down on his stance, he concluded that anyone who exits the coalition at this stage is compromised.
“Anybody that goes out of the coalition is compromised and is working for Tinubu, whoever that person is.”
Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party’s flagbearer in the 2023 presidential election, remains one of the leading contenders within the ADC, alongside heavyweights like Atiku Abubakar and Chibuike Amaechi.
As internal tensions within the party continue, Okonkwo’s comments have added another layer of controversy, fueling conversations about loyalty, coalition politics, and the road to Nigeria’s next presidential race.
