Veteran actor and former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused ex-presidential candidate Peter Obi of betraying him amid ongoing internal party conflicts.
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In a widely circulated interview with Symfoni that gained popularity on Saturday, Okonkwo, who officially left the Labour Party in February 2025, stated that Obi disregarded his counsel and chose to support the troubled Julius Abure-led faction of the party, despite previous warnings.
He explained that Obi had been misled by Labour Party executives who claimed that their faction had been recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Okonkwo asserted, “Any politician who understands the game cannot be betrayed by another. If anyone has betrayed someone else, I can say without hesitation that Peter Obi has betrayed me.”
He described how the Abure-led faction deceived Obi about INEC’s recognition and complained that Obi returned to them despite Okonkwo’s advice against it. “I told him, ‘Sir, you’ve made public commitments to integrity; even if INEC acknowledges them, it shouldn’t be a reason to associate with individuals who have proven to be undemocratic. If you rejoin them, it could ruin your political career and undermine everything you’ve stated about integrity.’”
Despite his private warnings to Obi about aligning with what he termed “undemocratic” and government-aligned groups, Okonkwo noted that Obi proceeded to publicly endorse them.
“I informed Obi that these people had become instruments of the government aimed at destabilizing him. Their actions were entirely illegal and unconstitutional, and I told him I wouldn’t follow him if he chose to return to them.
“I then reached out to those in his inner circle, warning them about Obi’s intentions to reunite with the Abure faction. I made it clear that I would not support him in that decision because I stand by my words.
“Shortly after, within about 72 hours, Obi went back to Abure’s office to endorse them publicly, and while he was engaged with them, one of their leaders sent me a video, mocking me about the person I fought to support now endorsing them.
It was only after INEC publicly distanced itself from Abure that Obi began to act neutral, but I told him neutrality wasn’t feasible and action was necessary,” he added.
The Labour Party is currently experiencing a severe leadership crisis, with conflicting factions asserting claims over its national structure. The Abure faction has been accused of financial mismanagement and anti-democratic behavior, undermining the party’s reformist image. Okonkwo, a known supporter of Obi’s political ideology, cited these irregularities as his reason for departing from the party earlier in the year.
