Kenneth Okonkwo Withdraws Support for Atiku Over Amaechi’s Selection as Running Mate

Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after reports emerged that former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, had been selected as the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

Okonkwo announced his decision in a statement shared on his X account on Monday, expressing disappointment over what he described as the continued exclusion of the South-East from Nigeria’s highest political offices.

Reacting to reports of Amaechi’s emergence as Atiku’s running mate, Okonkwo said the development, if confirmed, would further deepen feelings of political marginalisation among people from the South-East.

“I heard from social media that the ADC has picked its vice-presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as it will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East,” he stated.

The former spokesman for the Labour Party presidential campaign argued that the South-East remains the only geopolitical zone that has neither produced a President nor Vice President since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

According to him, overlooking the region once again in the 2027 electoral cycle would undermine efforts to promote fairness, equity and national inclusion.

“This geopolitical zone has neither produced a President nor Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce either office through the ADC in 2027 would amount to perpetuating that marginalisation,” he said.

Okonkwo also pointed to the historical roots of the ADC, noting that the party was founded in 2005 by Ralphs Nwosu, a prominent South-East politician. He argued that the sacrifices made by leaders from the region in support of broader political coalitions should not result in their continued exclusion from key positions.

“The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East. He made the sacrifice of relinquishing control of the party in the interest of building a stronger coalition for a better Nigeria. That sacrifice was not intended to marginalise his own people,” he said.

Emphasising his commitment to justice and inclusiveness, Okonkwo said his involvement in politics has always been guided by the principles of fairness and equal representation.

“I did not join politics to assist in the further marginalisation of my people. If we have already sacrificed both the national chairmanship and the presidential slot, it would be an unpardonable injustice to deny the South-East the vice-presidential position in 2027,” he added.

The former Nollywood actor further revealed that he had previously urged Atiku to demonstrate his commitment to South-East inclusion through the choice of his running mate.

“The only favour I asked of Atiku Abubakar, who publicly stated that he represents a pathway to a South-East presidency, was for him to demonstrate that commitment by choosing a vice-presidential candidate from the South-East,” he said.

Okonkwo concluded by making it clear that he would not campaign for any presidential ticket that excludes the South-East from both the presidential and vice-presidential positions.

“If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. However, I cannot support or campaign for any presidential ticket in 2027 that does not include a person of South-East origin as either President or Vice President,” he said.