Veteran Nollywood actor and former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP), Kenneth Okonkwo, has publicly accused Peter Obi, the party’s former presidential candidate, of betrayal amidst ongoing internal disputes within the LP.
In a widely circulated interview, Okonkwo criticized Obi’s decision to align with the faction led by Julius Abure, which has been at the center of the party’s leadership controversy. This development comes after Okonkwo formally announced his departure from the Labour Party in February 2025.
Once a prominent member of the LP Presidential Campaign Council, Okonkwo claimed that Obi disregarded his advice and instead chose to support a faction he believes lacks democratic principles. According to him, Obi was misled by party officials who falsely claimed their faction was recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“If anyone betrayed the other, I can say emphatically that Peter Obi betrayed me,” Okonkwo said during the interview. “I told him, ‘Sir, you have built your public image on integrity. Even if INEC recognizes them, that should not be a reason to align with individuals who have shown anti-democratic behavior. If you return to them, they will ruin your political career and everything you’ve stood for.’”
Okonkwo’s remarks have intensified the ongoing debate about the Labour Party’s leadership and future direction, with social media users and political observers weighing in on Obi’s judgment and the legitimacy of the Abure-led faction.