Nollywood veteran and former spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has openly accused former presidential flagbearer Peter Obi of betrayal amid deepening tensions within the party.
Speaking in a now-viral interview with Symfoni, Okonkwo—who left the Labour Party in February 2025—claimed Obi disregarded his warnings and chose to align with the embattled Julius Abure-led faction, despite alleged concerns about the group’s conduct.
He alleged that Obi was misinformed by certain party officials who told him that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had officially recognised the Abure-led leadership.
According to Okonkwo, this was used to lure Obi into reestablishing ties with the faction.
“In politics, true betrayal comes when someone you trust ignores wise counsel. I can boldly say Peter Obi betrayed me,” Okonkwo stated.
He recalled advising Obi to stay away from the Abure group, which he described as undemocratic and harmful to the ideals Obi claimed to represent.
He stressed that Obi’s return to the faction would undermine his public image built on integrity.
“I told him, even if INEC had acknowledged them, it shouldn’t justify aligning with a group that disregards democratic values. I warned that doing so could ruin his political career and damage everything he stood for,” he said.
Despite Okonkwo’s objections, Obi reportedly went ahead and visited the Abure-led group’s office, publicly endorsing them. Okonkwo revealed that a member of the faction even sent him a video of the visit in mockery.
“I had already informed members of our inner circle that I would not be part of any reconciliation with that faction,” he added.
“Just days later, Obi went there to declare support for them. That moment marked my decision to completely step away.”
Okonkwo further stated that Obi only began acting neutral after INEC distanced itself from the faction—an action he believes was too little, too late.
The Labour Party has been locked in a long-standing leadership crisis, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national leadership.
The Abure-led camp has faced allegations of mismanagement and undemocratic practices—concerns Okonkwo cited as central to his decision to leave the party earlier in the year.
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