Atiku Abubakar saw potential in me, discovered Okonjo-Iweala, Soludo: Kenneth Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo, formerly the spokesperson for the Labour Party, has embraced a new role as the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the upcoming 2027 election. Okonkwo expressed his commendation for Abubakar, highlighting the former Vice President's ability to look past previous criticisms and recognize his perceived contributions to Nigeria's development.

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As a public affairs analyst that I have been from 2009 before I ever met Peter Obi, I proceeded with my job. You were one of the earliest interviewers that interviewed me in July 2024 when I said I wasn’t speaking for him anymore because he’s not decisive.

Speaking on Channels Television, Okonkwo recounted his decision to end his association with Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and Obi's campaign spokesperson. Okonkwo stated that he concluded Obi lacked the necessary leadership qualities to govern Nigeria, making this public in 2024. He described his departure from Obi's camp as a result of Obi's perceived indecisiveness.

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I’ve seen in him certain qualities that make him unfit to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I made it public. By then, I had finished my job with him. But in order for the people to know that I am not speaking for him anymore, I made it public, and I went my own way, and I was doing my own job.

Okonkwo contrasted Abubakar's approach with Obi's, emphasizing Abubakar's focus on identifying and nurturing talent. He lauded Abubakar as a "talent discoverer," citing his role in identifying figures like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Professor Charles Soludo, and Nasir El-Rufai. Okonkwo suggested that Abubakar prioritizes the value and tenacity an individual brings to nation-building over past public statements.

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I talked about Atiku Abubakar here in this studio much more than I would even talk about Peter Obi. And people were telling Atiku Abubakar, ‘This young man that is getting close to you, are you aware of what he said to you?’

This development occurs amidst an ongoing legal dispute between Okonkwo and Obi. Okonkwo had previously accused Obi and others of accepting bribes from House of Representatives aspirants. Obi's legal team has denied these allegations, demanding a retraction, a public apology, and N5 billion in damages, labeling the claims as false and defamatory. Okonkwo's failure to comply with these demands led to Obi filing a defamation suit against him.

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Atiku Abubakar said, ‘I am looking at this young man, I am seeing the value in him, and his tenacity to bring about a great Nigeria. That is what I am seeing. And if I have the opportunity, I will bring him in to bring that value to Nigeria.’