RismadarVoice Reporters
July 3, 2026
Former Labour Party spokesperson and member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has dismissed claims that he opposed the emergence of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Okonkwo clarified that his earlier comments were not directed against Amaechi personally but reflected his preference for the vice-presidential slot to be allocated to the South-East on geopolitical grounds.
Responding to questions about reports that he objected to Amaechi’s nomination, Okonkwo said he fully supports the party’s decision and described Amaechi as the legitimate choice of the ADC.
He noted that while he had advocated for a South-East running mate, the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 limited the pool of eligible candidates. According to him, only individuals who had been registered members of the party at least 21 days before the presidential primary could contest.
Okonkwo explained that several prominent South-East figures he would have preferred were not registered members of the party within the required timeframe, making them ineligible for consideration.
He recalled that the major aspirants for the party’s presidential ticket before the primary included Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Hayatu-deen and Peter Obi. However, Obi’s withdrawal from the race, he said, left the South-East without a strong contender for either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket.
According to Okonkwo, the party needed a running mate capable of mounting a nationwide campaign, adding that Amaechi’s impressive performance at the presidential primary made him a natural choice.
He pointed out that Amaechi secured more than 500 votes during the primary election, arguing that such a significant support base could not be ignored in the party’s overall electoral strategy.
Despite backing the final decision, Okonkwo maintained that the ADC leadership should have engaged stakeholders from the South-East before announcing the vice-presidential candidate. He said such consultations would have helped explain the legal and political constraints behind the decision and strengthened support for the party in the region.
Okonkwo also revealed that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, was outside the country when the initial announcement of the vice-presidential candidate was made.
According to him, Atiku moved quickly to consult party stakeholders upon his return to Nigeria, temporarily suspending the process to allow for wider dialogue before concluding the selection process.
The former Labour Party spokesman also commended Atiku’s approach, describing the former vice president as a democrat who values consultation and consensus-building in party affairs.
