A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has resumed demarketing his kinsman, Peter Obi.
Okonkwo said that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi had a rare opportunity to become a great leader but squandered it himself.
Okonkwo made the remarks in an interview on the Selah Meditate Podcast, where he was asked to assess President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi.
The Nollywood veteran-turned-politician stated that Nigerians had been willing to support Obi and hand him political power without the usual struggle associated with securing elective office.
“Peter Obi is a man who had the opportunity of being great and dashed it by himself. No system will give you an egg without breaking it. You can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg,” he said.
According to Okonkwo, Obi needed to make significant sacrifices to secure and retain the opportunity presented to him by Nigerians.
“He’s a man that God and living people would have loved to give him what he wants, but he needs to make the necessary sacrifice, no matter what it will entail, to hold onto that free gift,” Okonkwo said.
He added that Obi’s political circumstances were unusual because, for the first time, Nigerians were prepared to give a politician power without demanding the conventional political incentives associated with elections.
Okonkwo, who previously served as a spokesperson for Obi during the 2023 presidential campaign under the Labour Party, parted ways with the former Anambra State governor in 2024. He cited a loss of confidence in Obi’s decisiveness and ability to build a strong party structure capable of winning and securing power.
Both men later moved toward the ADC coalition ahead of the 2027 elections before Obi emerged as the NDC presidential candidate. Okonkwo has since become a vocal critic and now backs Atiku.
The comments come amid a long-running public feud between the two former allies, which has included mutual accusations of betrayal and an ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by Obi against Okonkwo seeking billions of naira in damages over earlier statements.
Okonkwo’s latest assessment underscores the deepening divisions within Nigeria’s opposition as the 2027 presidential election approaches.
He earlier campaigned for Peter Obi as the only president Nigeria needs at this time.
About the Author
