Nigeria: Okonkwo pulls support from Atiku-Amaechi ticket

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn support for the Atiku Abubakar-Rotimi Amaechi ADC ticket for 2027, citing the continued exclusion of the South-East from Nigeria’s top political offices.

Okonkwo announced his position on Tuesday X after reports confirmed former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate under the African Democratic Congress. 

The former Labour Party campaign spokesman said the move would “continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East,” noting the zone has not produced a president or vice president since 1999. 

He also referenced ADC’s history, pointing out that the party was founded by Ralph Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. “He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people,” Okonkwo stated.

According to him, he had asked Atiku to demonstrate commitment to South-East inclusion by choosing a running mate from the region. 

“I did not join politics to assist in the further marginalisation of my own people,” he wrote. “I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice in 2027.”