In a recent outburst, Nollywood actor turned politician Kenneth Okonkwo has vehemently criticized the leadership of the Labour Party (LP), particularly targeting its National Chairman, Julius Abure. Okonkwo, who served as a spokesperson for the party during the 2023 elections, accused Abure and his allies of lacking integrity and running the party as a “clandestine organization governed by a bunch of clowns.”
During a media interaction, Okonkwo expressed profound dissatisfaction with the current state of the Labour Party, lamenting its inability to hold a credible national convention. He hinted at the possibility of decamping to another political party if the LP continues on its current trajectory.
“The Labour Party is not impressing me. If they continue on this path where they cannot even hold an acceptable national convention, I won’t stay. I was a spokesperson at the presidential level and did not know about the convention until I saw it on social media. It was a leprous convention,” Okonkwo stated.
The Labour Party has been embroiled in leadership disputes since Lamidi Apapa, the deputy national chairman (south), declared himself the interim national chairman last year. The situation intensified during a national convention in Anambra in 2024, where Julius Abure was elected as chairman amidst significant resistance from within the party. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) later indicated it did not oversee this convention, further complicating the legitimacy of Abure’s leadership.
The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) also criticized the convention, calling it a sham and suggesting that Abure’s position was merely temporary. Okonkwo, voicing his frustration, called for the arrest of Abure and his associates, accusing them of running the party like a secret society.
“Abure and his cohorts are workers of iniquity. Their tenure is over. They should be apprehended. This executive is in charge of a secret society, not a political party,” he declared.
Okonkwo’s dissatisfaction with the Labour Party is not new. He previously left the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022, citing the party’s controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket for the 2023 presidential election. Shortly after, he joined the Labour Party, pledging to support the presidential ambitions of Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State.
However, the recent internal turmoil and the party’s failure to maintain organizational integrity have pushed Okonkwo to reconsider his political affiliations. He emphasized that his commitment lies with any party genuinely dedicated to the welfare of Nigerians.
“Any party that is not visibly committed to the welfare of Nigerians will most likely not see me there. Change is constant, and I am open to returning to anything that aligns with my principles,” Okonkwo concluded.
The Labour Party’s internal conflicts and the allegations of mismanagement raised by prominent figures like Okonkwo pose significant challenges for its future. As the party navigates these turbulent waters, its ability to restore credibility and unity will be crucial in maintaining its political relevance and achieving its objectives.
