The Labour Party has said it is not surprised by Kenneth Okonkwo’s recent criticism of Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
New About Nigeria reports that Okonkwo, a senior party member, publicly expressed his loss of faith in Obi’s leadership abilities, questioning his capacity to build a winning electoral machine, thus parting ways with him.
He had said that even if Obi were to receive widespread voter support, he lacks the necessary skills to effectively secure and leverage that mandate.
The Labour Party leader revealed that recent events within the party have motivated him to reevaluate his political path and pursue a new direction.
He expressed his decision to forge a fresh trajectory for his political career, driven by the latest developments.
Earlier in June, Okonkwo described the LP as “a secret society led by a group of clowns”, adding that he could not rule out leaving the party.
Okonkwo also said his comments have “nothing to do with any desire to join APC or PDP”, adding that he will always join Nigerians in their aspirations for a better Nigeria.
Speaking on the development, Obiora Ifoh, national publicity secretary of the party, said in a statement that Okonkwo’s resignation from the party did not come as a surprise to any of their followers who already knew that he was a mole.
Ifoh said the party viewed Okonkwo’s criticism of Obi as unfortunate but attention-seeking.
“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 bounds,” the statement reads.
“Recently a former director general of the party’s presidential campaign organisation
resigned and rejoined the APC. Only last week, an ex-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.”
The LP national publicity secretary said the party remains committed to supporting Peter Obi as its 2027 presidential candidate.
“Coordinated attacks from some quarters will not in anyway diminish the trust Nigerians, particularly, the Obidients and youths in Nigeria have in him,” Ifoh said.
” We know that with him, a new Nigeria will be possible. Nigerians spoke loudly in 2023 and they will speak even louder come 2027.”
In the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, Okonkwo left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for LP.
He was later appointed as one of the spokespersons of the LP presidential campaign council.
