Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign council, has resigned from the party, citing internal crises and leadership failures.
The actor and lawyer announced his resignation in a statement on X on Tuesday, stating that the party was no longer positioned to drive meaningful political change ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I thank, most sincerely, all Nigerians of goodwill for the immense support given to us during the 2023 presidential election in which Nigerians believed our message for a new Nigeria and voted for us across ethnic and religious lines,” he wrote.
“We were the only party that had 25% foothold in all six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital Territory. I believe that we won the election under the Labour Party with your support but were denied the victory through technical glitch.”
Okonkwo, who served as a key figure in Peter Obi’s 2023 campaign, lamented the lack of progress in repositioning the Labour Party for the next election cycle, stating that political realignments should have begun two years ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Unfortunately, the Labour Party, as presently constituted, is not in a position to be part of that political force that will determine the political future of Nigeria. For the avoidance of doubt, Labour Party is non-existent as presently constituted,” he said.
He pointed to the expiration of party executives’ tenures at various levels, referencing the Labour Party’s constitution, which stipulates a three-year term for ward, local government, and state executives.
Okonkwo also accused the former National Chairman, Julius Abure, and his National Working Committee of failing to hold a legally recognized national convention, stating that the party had no effective leadership at the national level.
“The Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, which was duly and legally set up by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Labour Party, after the non-recognition of Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC) by INEC, was the only viable option towards salvaging the Labour Party,” he said.
“Unfortunately, Abure and his colleagues, with the collaboration of outside forces, launched unnecessary legal challenges against this Caretaker Committee that have inhibited it from functioning.”
He alleged that these legal battles were intended to stall the party’s restructuring until after the 2027 elections, further accusing Abure of prioritizing personal gain over the party’s survival.
“It’s obvious that Abure is not interested in the survival of Labour Party as he is interested in the survival of his pocket,” Okonkwo wrote, adding that Abure’s leadership had alienated northern members and would hinder the party’s ability to present a strong southern candidate against President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
“I have never been double-faced in my life. I have never betrayed any cause I set out to fight for,” he stated. “My entrance to politics is for good governance, and I will continue to work for it to ensure that Nigeria becomes a great country of incorruptible men.”
He announced that his resignation would take effect from February 25, 2025, exactly two years after the 2023 presidential election.
Okonkwo joined the Labour Party in 2022 after leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership. He quickly became one of Obi’s most vocal supporters and played a significant role in promoting the LP’s message during the last general elections.
