South-South Running Mate – I won’t campaign for you – Kenneth Okonkwo slams Atiku

Former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over reports that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket may pick its vice-presidential candidate from the South-South region.

In a post on X on Monday, Okonkwo described the reported decision as “unfortunate” and warned that it would amount to the continued marginalisation of the South-East, which he noted has neither produced a president nor vice president since 1999.

He argued that denying the South-East the opportunity to produce either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate of the ADC in the 2027 election would amount to an “unpardonable injustice.”

Okonkwo also referenced the role of former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, saying the party founder made significant sacrifices by relinquishing control of the party to facilitate the coalition aimed at producing a better Nigeria.

“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 this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.

“I did not join the coalition 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 would amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027,” Okonkwo wrote.

The actor-turned-politician stated that the only request he made to Atiku, whom he said had previously presented himself as a pathway to a South-East presidency, was to demonstrate that commitment by selecting a running mate from the region.

Okonkwo said that if reports of a South-South vice-presidential nominee are confirmed, he would not be willing to campaign for the presidential ticket in 2027.

He maintained that he entered politics to fight for a Nigeria where no region or group is marginalised and insisted that the South-East deserves representation on the presidential ticket.