Obi’s departure from ADC weakened South-East’s position, says Kenneth Okonkwo

The spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said Peter Obi’s departure from the party before the conclusion of its presidential primary weakened the South-East’s position in the coalition.

He said the development left the region politically disadvantaged.

Okonkwo made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Briefwhile responding to questions surrounding the choice of a vice-presidential candidate and the absence of public acknowledgment of the nomination by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

According to him, the South-East had a strong opportunity to retain a prominent place in the party’s calculations before Obi withdrew from the race, but his exit altered the political equation and created uncertainty for the region.

He explained that once Obi left the party, the vacancy that emerged could not easily be filled because the Electoral Act prevents political parties from nominating individuals who were not members of the party at least 21 days before the presidential primary.

Okonkwo said the legal restriction ruled out several respected personalities from the South-East who were not ADC members at the required time.

“The person that represented the South-East in that calculation left unceremoniously before the conclusion of the process. That left the South-East disadvantaged and confused. Immediately Peter Obi exited, it was as if that position that would have been given to the South-East became vacant,” he said.

He added that prominent figures such as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and former Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, were considered worthy of the role but could not be nominated because they were not members of the ADC within the period stipulated by law.

“You talked about Abaribe, you talked about Ngozi Okonjo, you talked about some nice names, but those names were no longer members of the ADC,” Okonkwo stated.

His comments come amid ongoing discussions over the ADC’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election and the party’s strategy for balancing regional interests in its leadership ticket.