Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, has officially resigned from the party.
In a press statement he signed on Tuesday, Okonkwo expressed his concerns about the party’s readiness for the 2027 general election, citing internal strife and leadership crises.
“My entry into politics is driven by a commitment to good governance, and I will continue to advocate for a Nigeria characterized by integrity,” he stated. “This vision can no longer be realized within the current structure of the Labour Party.”
He pointed out that, due to the party’s dysfunction, he felt compelled to resign. “To all Nigerians of goodwill who stood by us during our time of need, I reaffirm my allegiance to the Nigerian people in all my future political endeavors.”
The Nollywood actor indicated that he is open to aligning with other political groups. “This resignation will take effect on February 25, 2025, marking the second anniversary of the 2023 presidential election, after which I will seek to collaborate with like-minded Nigerians to forge a path toward effective governance in our blessed nation,” he added.
Okonkwo criticized the party’s leadership, stating that the current tenure had long expired. He noted that the caretaker committee established to rescue the party has been stalled by unnecessary legal challenges.
He lambasted the national chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, for allegedly placing personal interests above the party’s welfare. “The former National Chairman and his National Working Committee have not conducted a legally recognized national convention, as confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The courts have ruled that the leadership of a political party is an internal matter, beyond their jurisdiction, resulting in a lack of effective national leadership within the Labour Party.”
He praised the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, which was legally constituted by the National Executive Council (NEC) after INEC’s non-recognition of the Abure-led National Working Committee. He stressed that this committee was the only viable solution to revive the party.
“Sadly, Abure and his associates, in cooperation with external political opportunists, have launched frivolous legal challenges against this caretaker committee, preventing it from operating. Over six months have passed since the committee’s inauguration without any progress, leading many to believe that these politicians are intent on bogging down genuine Labour Party members with trivial litigation until after the 2027 election.”
He concluded, “Isn’t it ironic that a national executive of a political party, whose elected members are constantly defecting to other parties and who cannot mount legal challenges to recover lost seats, is fiercely battling to maintain their damaging grip on the party?”
