In a striking revelation that further exposes the cracks within Nigeria’s Labour Party, veteran Nollywood actor and former Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, has openly accused Peter Obi of betrayal. Speaking in a now-viral interview with Symfoni, Okonkwo detailed how Obi allegedly ignored critical advice and realigned with the embattled Julius Abure-led faction, despite concerns over its legitimacy and democratic values.
Okonkwo, who formally resigned from the Labour Party in February 2025, did not mince words in expressing his disappointment. According to him, Obi turned his back on core principles of integrity and transparency by re-engaging with party officials he had once distanced himself from.
"Any politician that knows what he's doing cannot be betrayed by another," Okonkwo said. "If there is anybody that betrayed the other, I can say it emphatically that Peter Obi betrayed me."
At the heart of the controversy is the party’s ongoing leadership crisis, with multiple factions vying for control. The Abure-led faction, which Okonkwo vehemently opposes, has been accused of financial mismanagement and undemocratic conduct, charges that have raised red flags among party loyalists and external observers.
Despite private conversations where Okonkwo warned Obi of the implications of returning to the disputed leadership, Obi reportedly went ahead and publicly endorsed them.
“I told Obi that these people had become agents in the hands of the government to destabilize him,” Okonkwo stated. “What they did was absolutely illegal and unconstitutional... but within 72 hours, Obi went back to Abure’s office to publicly endorse them.”
Okonkwo recounted how members of the Abure-led group even mocked him with videos of Obi’s return to their camp. The rift culminated in Okonkwo's decision to exit the party altogether, an act he insists was based on principle, not politics.
Interestingly, Okonkwo claimed that Obi only began to act “neutral” after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) distanced itself from the Abure faction. But for Okonkwo, the damage had already been done.
“I told him he could not be neutral and something had to be done,” he added.
Kenneth Okonkwo’s comments reflect a broader identity crisis within the Labour Party, once hailed as a fresh political force during the 2023 elections. The rift highlights the difficulties of maintaining ideological purity in Nigeria’s turbulent political landscape, especially when internal power struggles threaten to derail reformist momentum.
Peter Obi, whose brand is built on integrity and grassroots connection, now faces renewed scrutiny over his choices amid the crisis. Aligning with a faction under fire for alleged misconduct could undermine not just his credibility, but also the broader movement.
0 Comments