Former Labour Party spokesperson Kenneth Okonkwo has praised Atiku Abubakar for acknowledging his dedication to nation-building, despite his history of criticizing the former Vice President. During a recent appearance on Channels Television, Okonkwo explained that his decision to join Atiku, who is the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections, was based on Atiku’s ability to see value in people regardless of past disputes.
Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for Peter Obi, noted that he severed ties with the former Anambra State governor in 2024, citing a lack of decisive leadership. He described his departure from Obi’s camp as necessary due to perceived deficiencies in Obi’s governing style. In contrast, Okonkwo highlighted Atiku’s history of identifying and supporting high-profile talent, such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Charles Soludo, and Nasir El-Rufai. According to Okonkwo, Atiku prioritized his potential contributions to Nigeria over personal slights.
The move follows a contentious legal battle between the two men. In June 2026, Peter Obi filed a defamation lawsuit against Okonkwo in the Anambra State High Court, seeking N5 billion in damages after Okonkwo alleged that Obi had accepted bribes from political aspirants. Okonkwo maintains his stance and has criticized the former governor for initiating legal action following the conclusion of their political partnership.
