ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nollywood veteran-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has firmly dismissed claims that he ever asked Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, for financial assistance to pay rent, describing the allegation as baseless and unfounded.
Okonkwo, who served as a spokesperson for the Obi-Datti presidential campaign, made the rebuttal during an interview on Symfoni TV, responding to allegations made by Katch Ononuju, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. The ADC chieftain insisted that he had already built all the houses he needed long before venturing into active politics.
“Before I entered active politics and came to Peter Obi, I had built all the houses that I needed. This is because I wanted to be an independent person with my own opinion,” Okonkwo stated emphatically.
The actor-turned-politician traced his financial independence back to his early years, revealing that he lived in his father’s house throughout his university education before acquiring his own property in Lagos. By 1994, he had moved into his own duplex in Lagos, where he resided for 14 years.
“I made it clear from day one that my loyalty is to Nigeria, to Nigerian people and the Constitution, and my conscience and the commandment of God. I am not going to move away from this,” Okonkwo declared. “So my loyalty is not to a political party or to a politician but to Nigeria.”
Okonkwo further stressed that he has never sought financial assistance from Obi or any other individual since birth. “I have never asked for rent from Peter Obi or anybody since I was born. By the grace of God, I lived in my father’s house, finished my university education, went and lived in my own house in Lagos,” he reiterated.
The clarification comes amid ongoing political discourse surrounding the 2023 general elections and the relationships among key figures within the opposition. Okonkwo, who gained prominence for his vocal defence of the Obi-Datti ticket during the electoral process, has maintained a reputation for outspokenness and principled political engagement.
Ononuju’s allegation had suggested that Okonkwo approached Obi for financial support, a claim that has now been categorically rejected by the ADC chieftain. The controversy has generated significant attention on social media, with supporters of both figures weighing in on the matter.
Okonkwo, a trained lawyer and veteran actor, has been increasingly active in Nigeria’s political landscape, positioning himself as a voice of conscience and integrity. His insistence on financial independence underscores his broader message of political accountability and principled leadership.
As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, such clarifications are likely to become more frequent as political figures seek to establish their credentials and distance themselves from allegations that could undermine their public standing. For now, Okonkwo remains adamant that his integrity remains intact and his record speaks for itself.
