Labour Party Blasts Kenneth Okonkwo, Calls Him Political Jesters, Jobbers, Stomach Infrastructure
The Labour Party has said the resignation of its former presidential campaign spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, did not come as a surprise.
The party condemned actor turned politician for attacking its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing it as attention-seeking.
In a statement issued earlier, Okonkwo said he had ended his political association with the party and Obi.
Okonkwo defected to LP on August 24, 2022, one month after resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket presidential ticket.
Okonkwo, at the time, said he joined LP to promote good governance and a new Nigeria.
In a statement titled ‘Political Journey to a Great Nigeria,’ which he shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Okonkwo cited his disappointment with the party’s internal crisis and the failure of Obi to address it.
According to him, it is expected for a presidential candidate to be willing to fight and ensure he is sworn in as president and not watch while his victory is taken away from him.
“Consequence is that I no longer have the confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate,” he added.
He emphasised that the president “must be willing to be in the forefront of such endeavour,” and not allow his followers to lead.
However, LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, in a statement on Sunday, said, “Kenneth Okonkwo’s resignation from the Labour Party didn’t come to us as a surprise.
“We also think that his attack on the party’s leader, Peter Obi is rather unfortunate however we will continue not to dignify him with any response as we understand that his attention craving attitude knows no bound.
“If you recall, recently a former Director General of the party’s presidential campaign organisation resigned and rejoined the APC. Only last week, a former deputy Director General of the presidential campaign organisation also resigned and rejoined the APC.
“Today, it is the turn of Mr. Okonkwo, a former member of APC, who smuggled himself into the presidential campaign, and his destination is already known to us.
“Needless to say that Nigeria is not in want of political jesters and jobbers whose stomach are their gods. Labour Party is not perturbed by his decision to move on and in fact, we wish him well in his future endeavours, whether in acting, law practice, politics or otherwise.
“We also wish to note here, that the party is aware of a few other persons who are planted as moles, who are presently instigating crisis within the party, and who have unsuccessfully attempted to hijack the party for the use of their paymasters.
“We urge them to act fast and do the needful before they are exposed and fumigated out of the party.’
It said the party is “keeping to its decision to stand with Peter Obi as its leader and presidential hopefully come 2027 presidential election and we are not apologetical about that position”.
“Coordinated attacks from some quarters will not in any way diminish the trust Nigerians, particularly, the Obidients and youths in Nigeria have in him,” he added.
“We know that with him, a new Nigeria will be possible. Nigerians spoke loudly in 2023 and they will speak even louder come 2027.”
