Nollywood Actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, has dumped the group.
In a statement via his X handle, Okonkwo hinged his decision on the party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate and the crisis rocking the party.
According to Okonkwo, Obi failed to do enough to build the party and solve its leadership crisis.
He said: “He (Peter Obi) just needed to give the right directives and everyone will fall in line. I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria’s problems.
“I was like, does it mean Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading to nowhere politically? However, I continued in his defence believing he will still privately bring the needed solution to LP problems but to no avail.
“PO also publicly demanded that the Abure-led National Working Committee must organise an all-inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders.
“This didn’t happen, and surprisingly, PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time had expired.
“Every member of the Labour Party is confused today as to the future of the Labour Party because of lack of leadership from PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself.
“I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts.”
I think Kenneth Okonkwo is a bit hasty in his decision. He should look at the bigger picture which is unfolding and not be discouraged by PO’s supposed inability to rein in LP learship crisis. May be PO has noticed that meddling with intra-party politicking will do more harm to the long term objective of the movement, hence he decided to play it cool. As a well respected senior member of LP, I expect Okonkwo to thread softly and carefully to avoid destruction of a legacy they’ve collectively built over this short period of time. It will be sad if he goes ahead to throw away the baby and the bath water. I personally feel that Kenneth Okonkwo should remain with PO & LP despite their minor differences. Doing so will continue to give Nigerians some hope for the future. Doing otherwise will embolden and give oppressors the satisfaction that they are winning.