Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has said Mr. Peter Obi may find it hard to retain widespread support in the South-East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television on Thursday, where he frowned at the “Obi or nothing” slogan promoted by some supporters of the former Anambra State governor.
Okonkwo argued that the phrase runs contrary to the Igbo philosophy of collective advancement known as “Somadina.”
“Have you not heard of the slogan Obi or nothing? First of all, that slogan is an abomination culturally in Igbo land,” he said.
While explaining further, Okonkwo stated: “Somadina means that I will not be the only person that will thrive. I will not be the only person that will succeed.”
He referenced the political relationship between late nationalist Nnamdi Azikiwe and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme during the 1979 elections, noting that Igbo leaders traditionally embraced cooperation and political alliances.
“Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe knew that the votes of Ndi Igbo alone would not make him president,” Okonkwo said.
He added that Azikiwe respected Ekwueme’s decision to remain in a separate political party at the time, stressing that post-election alliances later secured major positions for the South-East, including the vice presidency and the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives “nine years after the war.”
“And somebody here is telling me Obi or nothing? That is an abomination in Igbo land,” he added.
Speaking on the recent movement of Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the ADC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Okonkwo alleged that both politicians avoided participating in party primaries.
“And the reason they went there is because they are scared of participating in primary election,” he said.
Okonkwo claimed the two politicians had initially embraced coalition talks aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election before eventually leaving the ADC.
“They said coalition is the best and the only method to send Tinubu packing by their own words. And on their own, without any reason, they left for NDC. Is that not being a con man?” he said.
Responding to a question on whether politicians were free to change political direction, Okonkwo argued that Obi joined the coalition despite being aware of its alleged internal disagreements.
“And you didn’t know that such association is not aligning before you entered and you didn’t have any reason for going except that he wants power,” he said.
The ADC chieftain also took aim at some supporters of Obi, describing them as “toxic followers” and “street urchins,” while admitting he once belonged to the group.
“I was. Why did I leave?” he said.
Okonkwo explained that he backed Obi in the 2023 presidential election because he wanted “somebody from the South-East to be president.”
However, he said his views changed after the outcome of the poll.
“After winning the election, what happened? He could not secure his own victory,” Okonkwo said.
The former ally of Obi stated that he spent “around 240 days” in court and “almost two years campaigning” after believing the election had been won.
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