Former Labour Party (LP) chieftain and spokesperson for the 2023 presidential campaign council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused Peter Obi of betrayal and failing to resolve the party’s internal crisis.
In a widely circulated video, Okonkwo alleged that Obi ignored warnings and sided with the Julius Abure-led faction of the LP, despite public statements on integrity. “Peter Obi betrayed me,” Okonkwo said, adding that he had cautioned Obi about returning to Abure’s camp, which he described as unconstitutional and detrimental to the party’s democratic ideals.
Okonkwo revealed that after warning Obi, the former presidential candidate proceeded to publicly endorse the Abure-led faction. “One of their leaders even sent me a video to mock me,” he said.
He added that Obi only began acting neutral after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) distanced itself from Abure.
Explaining his resignation from LP in February 2025, Okonkwo said he lost confidence in Obi’s leadership. “He has proven that even if the people vote for him, he lacks what it takes to secure the mandate,” he stated.
He criticised Obi for failing to build a strong party structure, despite demands for inclusive leadership and support for the Labour Unions. According to Okonkwo, Obi’s silence on the party’s alleged illegal convention and its leadership crisis left many party members confused and disillusioned.
“I cannot continue to speak on behalf of a leader that I do not know his stand on issues of great importance,” Okonkwo said.
