Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following the reported emergence of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.
Okonkwo made his position known in a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, shortly after reports emerged confirming Amaechi’s selection as Atiku’s running mate.
The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesperson expressed displeasure over what he described as continued political exclusion of the South-East from Nigeria’s highest offices.
“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,” he wrote.
He argued that the South-East has remained sidelined in Nigeria’s power-sharing structure since the return of democracy in 1999.
“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,” he stated.
Okonkwo also referenced the origin of the ADC, noting that the party was founded by Ralphs Nwosu, who hails from the South-East, and argued that sacrifices made by leaders from the region should not result in further exclusion.
“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,” he said.
Reaffirming his political stance, he said his involvement in politics has always been guided by fairness and equity.
“I did not join politics to assist in the further marginalisation 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 will amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027,” he added.
He further disclosed that he had earlier advised Atiku to demonstrate inclusion by choosing a running mate from the South-East.
“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,” he stated.
Okonkwo concluded that he would not support any presidential ticket that excludes the South-East from both the presidency and vice presidency in 2027.
“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,” he said.
