JUST-IN: Kenneth Okonkwo exits LP, cites party’s leadership, internal crisis

• The Nollywood actor said he is open to pitching his political tent elsewhere.

The Labour Party’s presidential campaign council former spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, has officially resigned from the party, citing internal crisis and leadership failures.

Okonkwo, who served as the LP campaign spokesperson in the 2023 election, stated in his resignation statement that the party has been plagued by internal and leadership crises.

“My entrance to politics is for good governance, and I will continue to work for it to ensure that Nigeria becomes a great country of incorruptible men. This aim can no longer be realised within Labour Party as presently constituted,” he said.

The Nollywood actor emphasised that his decision to leave the party is due to its ineffective leadership and internal conflicts.

“Since the party is non-existent as presently constituted, I am constrained to resign my membership of the party to all Nigerians of goodwill who supported us when we needed them most and to pledge my continued loyalty to the Nigerian people in all I will decide to do in my political future.”

Okonkwo expressed openness to joining another party, stating that he will continue working towards good governance.

“This resignation takes effect from the 25th of February, 2025, which marks the second anniversary of the presidential election of 2023, after which I will be at liberty to join other well-meaning, and like-minded Nigerians in charting a great future of good governance for this great country blessed by God.”

The LP national chairman, Julius Abure, was criticized by Okonkwo for prioritizing personal interests over the party’s survival.

In June 2024, Okonkwo described the party as “a secret society led by a group of clowns” and expressed doubts about Peter Obi’s ability to build a winning party.

The LP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis since Lamidi Apapa declared himself acting national chairman.

The crisis deepened in 2024 when Abure was re-elected as chairman amid opposition.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not monitor the LP’s national convention, and the Board of Trustees described the convention as a charade.