Kenneth Okonkwo Withdraws Support for Atiku Over Alleged Amaechi VP Choice
Former Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, has announced his withdrawal of support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following reports that former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has emerged as the vice-presidential candidate of the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general election.
Okonkwo made his position known in a statement published on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, where he expressed concerns over what he described as the continued political marginalisation of Nigeria’s South-East region.
According to him, reports circulating on social media indicate that the coalition platform has selected a vice-presidential candidate from the South-South geopolitical zone.
He argued that if the reports are eventually confirmed, it would further deny the South-East representation in Nigeria’s two highest political offices.
Why Kenneth Okonkwo Is Pulling Back
The actor-turned-politician stated that the South-East remains the only geopolitical zone that has not produced either a President or Vice President since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.
He maintained that fairness, equity, and inclusion should guide the opposition coalition’s decisions ahead of the 2027 election.
Okonkwo further revealed that one of his expectations from Atiku was the selection of a running mate from the South-East as a demonstration of commitment to regional inclusion.
The former Labour Party spokesman said he would find it difficult to campaign for any presidential ticket that excludes the South-East from both the presidential and vice-presidential positions.
Political Implications Ahead of 2027
The development could trigger fresh debates within opposition circles as political parties continue consultations and coalition-building efforts ahead of the next presidential election.
Although neither Atiku nor the coalition leadership has officially responded to Okonkwo’s statement at the time of filing this report, the controversy highlights growing concerns over power balancing and regional representation within Nigeria’s opposition
Political analysts believe the issue may influence negotiations among coalition partners as preparations intensify for the 2027 polls.
What We Know So Far
Kenneth Okonkwo says he is withdrawing support for Atiku if reports about Amaechi’s emergence as running mate are confirmed.
His objection is based on what he describes as the continued exclusion of the South-East from top political offices.
The statement was made through his verified social media account.
No official response had been issued by Atiku’s camp at the time of this report.
This report is based on publicly available statements attributed to Kenneth Okonkwo and multiple media reports.
