Kenneth Okonkwo sparks fresh drama, blasts ADC over ‘marginalisation’

Former Labour Party chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has stirred fresh political controversy after taking a hard line against the reported vice-presidential choice of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 elections, accusing the party of deepening regional exclusion in its zoning arrangement.

The development follows reports that the party has settled for former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as its vice-presidential candidate alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as presidential flagbearer.

The alleged arrangement has already triggered tension within political circles, especially over concerns about the continued exclusion of the South-East from the presidency and vice presidency since 1999.

In a reaction posted on his social media handles, Okonkwo insisted that the development contradicts earlier expectations of fairness within the coalition, warning that it could further alienate a region he described as politically marginalised.

He argued that the South-East remains the only geo-political zone yet to produce either a President or Vice President in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, insisting that any continued exclusion would amount to injustice.

Okonkwo also referenced the founding role of the late Ralph Nwosu in the ADC, stressing that the party’s origins in the South-East should have informed a more inclusive zoning decision.

“The ADC was founded by Ralph 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,” Okonkwo said.

He maintained that the expectation was for the coalition to demonstrate equity by ensuring the South-East produces either the president or vice president in the current electoral cycle.

Okonkwo further disclosed that his support for the coalition ticket would depend on its adherence to what he described as fair regional balance, warning that he may reconsider his involvement if the final arrangement excludes the South-East.

“I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, geo-political zone, or person will be marginalised,” he stated.

He added that he had earlier engaged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar with the expectation that commitments to future South-East inclusion would be reflected in the current ticket structure.

“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 President in 2027,” he warned.