Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) and a veteran Nollywood actor, has called on the people of Edo State to give their massive support to Olumide Akpata in the upcoming gubernatorial election. Okonkwo made this statement on Friday, June 21, 2024, during an appearance on Politics HQ on News Central TV.
Okonkwo, who recently criticised his party and its leadership, hinted at the possibility of leaving the Labour Party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He said he had left APC earlier because he wasn’t satisfied with its policies. He said APC made several promises which it never fulfilled.
The Labour Party has been embroiled in controversies, including allegations of misappropriation of funds, leadership tussles, and calls for the resignation of the party’s national chairman. Okonkwo expressed his dissatisfaction with the recent developments within the party, indicating a potential defection.
The conduct of the national convention seemed as if the attendees were members of a secret society. Everything about a party should be transparent and accountable. These are the tenets of democracy.
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) June 21, 2024
– Kenneth Okonkwo pic.twitter.com/uPalUP1oqX
During the national convention in Anambra State on March 27, Julius Abure was re-elected as the LP’s national chairman. However, Okonkwo, the presidential campaign spokesperson for the LP in the 2023 election, described the party as “a secret society led by a group of clowns” and expressed his disappointment.
“His leadership is ended. I have nothing personal against Julius Abure. My grouse is simple: his tenure is ended, and he didn’t organise a convention to pass power to the next set of leadership.”
On his projections ahead of the Edo state gubernatorial elections, he stated that Olumide Akpata is the best hand for the job.
“I urge the Benin people to reject the PDP in Edo,” Okonkwo stated, criticising Governor Obaseki. “Can you imagine Governor Obaseki asking the Oba to come and respond to summons in court?”
In May, Governor Obaseki denied claims that he had taken Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin, to court over the suspension of Enigie (Dukes of the Kingdom). Obaseki refuted allegations that he was involved in a case before the State High Court challenging the power of the Benin Monarch to suspend the Enigie.