Kenneth Okonkwo Urges Opposition Unity to Unseat APC in 2027: "Democracy is for the People, Not Power-Hungry Elites"

 

Former Labour Party (LP) spokesperson and veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, has issued a clarion call to Nigeria’s opposition parties, insisting that their only realistic path to political relevance and victory in the 2027 elections lies in forming a united coalition.

Speaking during a segment on Arise Television, Okonkwo did not mince words as he criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for its recent moves ahead of the next general elections. He addressed the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the APC’s Northwest faction, a development that came with automatic second-term support for APC governors in the region. According to Okonkwo, such declarations of support are tone-deaf in a nation grappling with persistent insecurity, economic hardship, and widening educational disparities.

While discussing the endorsement, Okonkwo expressed frustration at the political elite’s focus on 2027 rather than the immediate needs of Nigerians. He referenced the tragic killing of 15 individuals in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State as a grim reminder of the country’s ongoing security crisis. For him, the APC’s political machinations amount to a betrayal of public trust.

“It is disgraceful that while citizens are losing their lives daily, and with the Northwest facing the highest rates of poverty and school dropouts, party leaders are instead focused on power consolidation for elections two years away,” Okonkwo stated.

Critiquing the Northwest endorsement gathering, he labeled it a “sycophantic meeting” of political elites disconnected from the plight of ordinary Nigerians. Okonkwo emphasized that democracy must prioritize the people’s welfare and not the self-preserving interests of political actors.

His remarks extended beyond criticism of the ruling party. He also offered an introspective analysis of the opposition’s shortcomings in the 2023 elections. According to him, the fragmented nature of opposition parties allowed a minority party like the APC—garnering just 37% of the total vote—to ascend to power. He stressed that unless opposition forces put aside their differences and unite behind a shared vision, history will repeat itself.

“The opposition’s disunity gave APC an easy ride. Nigerians need an alternative founded on integrity, competence, and people-centered governance. The only way to dislodge APC in 2027 is through a united front,” he affirmed.

Touching on political maneuverings reported between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Okonkwo cautioned against secretive power-sharing deals. He warned that leadership should emerge through transparent, democratic processes and not closed-door negotiations driven by personal ambition.

He also used the opportunity to shed light on the ideological identity crisis he believes afflicts the APC. Drawing a colorful comparison, Okonkwo likened APC politics to “palm wine” – inconsistent in taste and quality, symbolizing the party's ideological ambiguity and the frequent defections it accommodates.

Despite having stepped away from the Labour Party, Okonkwo has not withdrawn from political life. He cited internal challenges within LP that compromised its core values as part of his decision to leave. However, he remains committed to public service and political reform.

Okonkwo revealed that he is currently involved in the formation of a new political coalition, one that aims to offer Nigerians a credible and values-driven alternative. While the coalition remains under development, he assured that its emergence would signal a new chapter for Nigeria.

“We’re not rushing into just any platform. This is about building something truly transformative. When the time is right, Nigerians will hear from us,” he said. “We may not change the beginning of our story, but we can definitely change how it ends. And I believe we will succeed.”

Through his interview, Okonkwo painted a portrait of a country at a crossroads – one that can either remain locked in a cycle of power-driven politics or choose a new path led by unity, integrity, and service to the people.