Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has launched a scathing attack on former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, days after Obi exited the African Democratic Congress [ADC] for the Nigeria Democratic Congress [NDC].
Speaking on Arise News on Wednesday, Okonkwo accused Obi of avoiding competitive primaries and lacking the temperament to lead Nigeria at a time of severe national crisis.
“Peter Obi needed the ADC; however, the ADC did not need him,” Okonkwo said. He described Obi as a “mobile squatter” who frequently shifts parties to evade challenges, adding that such a leader cannot handle the responsibility of the presidency.
The ADC chieftain further claimed Obi brought “toxicity” into the party and warned that his political maneuvering could ultimately benefit the ruling party. Okonkwo argued that a leader who runs from challenges is unfit to govern a country facing economic and security pressures.
The latest exchange marks another low point in the relationship between the two former allies. Okonkwo served as spokesperson for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign under the Labour Party, where Obi finished third in a contest won by President Bola Tinubu.
Tensions surfaced in February 2025 when Okonkwo resigned from the Labour Party, citing internal betrayal and accusing Obi of failing to provide leadership to resolve the crisis. He later joined the ADC as part of a broader opposition coalition aiming to unseat the APC in 2027.
Obi’s brief stint in the ADC ended abruptly in early May 2026 when he announced his move to the NDC, citing the need for a new political platform. The switch drew criticism from within the coalition, with figures like Okonkwo questioning Obi’s commitment and consistency.
The remarks have triggered a heated debate online, with Obi’s supporters accusing Okonkwo of hypocrisy and political opportunism. Many pointed to Okonkwo’s own history of switching parties, arguing he had no moral ground to criticize Obi.
Supporters of Obi defended his record and insisted they would back him regardless of party platform. The disagreement quickly expanded into a wider discussion on loyalty, defections, and the state of Nigeria’s opposition politics.
Political analysts say the public rift reflects deepening divisions within Nigeria’s opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. The coalition, which had been billed as a united front against the APC, now appears fragmented less than a year to the polls.
Neither Peter Obi nor his media office has responded to the comments as of press time.
Okonkwo, a constitutional lawyer and former Labour Party chieftain, has remained active in political commentary since leaving acting. He has previously criticized government officials, including Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, over threats to Obi’s safety during a visit to Edo in 2025.