Kenneth Okonkwo, a die-hard supporter of the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (Peter Obi) in the 2023 polls has moved against him for not speaking out against the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party whose tenure has elapsed and has refused to quit.
The LP had been enmeshed in crises over a leadership tussle with the Labour Unions who midwived the formation of the party over alleged derailment from its original purpose.
Okonkwo while expressing his commitment, irreversibly, to a great Nigeria built on equity, justice, and fairness, where every citizen will be free and able to aspire to any position or level in life without regard to primordial sentiments said he is surprised at Peter Obi’s lack of commitments to the greatness of the LP.
In a piece he entitled “Political Journey To A Great Nigeria,” Okonkwo said that he is shocked that Peter Obi could not openly support the noble efforts of the Labour Unions.
“I received my first shock when he publicly declared that he didn’t promise Nigerians to build a strong Labour Party, but to solve Nigeria’s problems.
“I was like, does it mean HE Peter Obi is not aware that without a solid party base, we are heading nowhere politically? However, I continued in his defense believing he would still privately bring the needed solution to LP’s problems to no avail.
He said Obi had also publicly demanded that the Abure-led National Working Committee must organize an all-inclusive convention that would guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders which did not happen.
He added that, surprisingly, the PO refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC as their time had expired.
“Every member of the Labour Party is confused today as to the future of the Party because of the lack of leadership from the PO over the party, and unfortunately, when they look up to me to tell them about the PO’s standpoint, I sincerely have nothing to tell them because I don’t know myself.
“I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance. I simply don’t know how to manipulate facts.
“The Labour Unions now have an unfortunate situation where they are fighting criminals who want to hijack their party when an ordinary statement from the PO would have brought the solution. I cannot continue with this ambivalence forever, the statement said.
“I am shocked that PO could not openly support the noble efforts of the Labour Unions who founded the Labour Party as a base to fight for the welfare of workers to the extent that some of them are openly saying that PO is now the problem of LP.
“I am of course in full support of the Labour Unions and other stakeholders who are now compelled to fight for the soul of LP without the support of PO.
“However, the 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.
“I don’t intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.
“It’s in this regard that I have decided to continue my political journey into the great Nigeria of our vision without Peter Obi. I am always 100% loyal to a leader whenever I am working or following the leader.
“At any time I have doubts within me that I can no longer offer 100% loyalty to him, I will respectfully let everyone know. When I joined his campaign, I made it public, now that I cannot guarantee my support for his future political aspirations, I believe I owe it to everyone to let everyone know.
“This has nothing to do with any desire to join APC or PDP. I will perpetually be joined by the Nigerian people and their aspirations for a new, better, and great Nigeria.
“There’s also absolutely nothing personal with my decision to adjust my relationship with HE Peter Obi. It’s 100% based on principles and my conviction that I need a more decisive, bold, brave leader with integrity and team spirit who can confront these kakistocrats and kleptocrats head-on. I will continue to respect him and cherish the periods we worked together.
“With this declaration, I am free to embark on negotiation and consultation with every like-minded people to determine the next step in my political journey, which does not include joining APC or PDP for now, but includes, and is not limited to consolidation of Labour Party.
“Nigeria must regain its greatness, whether the kakistocrats and kleptocrats like it or not. Protest is a democratic right of the people. Nobody should prevent the people from protesting, even as the protesters should endeavour to be peaceful.
“The government must deploy all its wisdom and exercise extreme restraint in the management of the protest of the people. The best method of avoiding protest is good governance. With bad governance, protest is inevitable.
“What is happening in the Labour Party today has inspired in me a determination to chart a new course for my political journey. After the 2023 general election, Nigerians, including me, had high hopes for the Labour Party.
“I believe that Peter Obi will seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that will have the solid base that we need to overthrow these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. He just needed to give the right directives and everyone would fall in line.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh in a swift reaction 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 bounds.
“If you recall, recently a former Director General of the party’s presidential campaign organization resigned and rejoined the APC. Only last week, a former deputy Director General of the presidential campaign organization 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 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.
“Labour 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.
“We know that with him, a new Nigeria will be possible. Nigerians spoke loudly in 2023 and they will speak even louder come 2027.”
(National Update)
