Veteran Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo, formerly a spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign council, has called for a new direction in Nigerian politics, urging President Bola Tinubu, ex-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar, and LP’s Peter Obi to refrain from running in the 2027 presidential elections.
Speaking on Arise TV, Okonkwo criticized these leaders for failing Nigerians and argued that they have little left to offer.
Okonkwo dismissed the idea of a successful opposition alliance in the upcoming elections, attributing its improbability to the past failures of opposition parties to unify and collaborate effectively.
He expressed skepticism about the feasibility of unseating Tinubu, citing the judiciary’s recent rulings that have favored the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and granted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) broad powers.
The actor accused the APC of being a “nepotistic and despotic” party, highlighting comments from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who controversially suggested that while Nigerians protest, those in power would remain indifferent.
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Okonkwo emphasized the need for fresh leadership in Nigeria, criticizing the current political class for their lack of vision and leadership.
He suggested that with a more robust opposition presence in the House of Representatives, there is potential for change, but lamented the failure of current opposition leaders to meet this challenge.
“Nigeria needs a new set of leaders, who genuinely care about the people. Visionaries with fresh ideas, unlike the class of 2023 who contested in the presidential elections, failed and started talking about the next election almost instantly,” he added.
On a final note, he advised the opposition to come together as a force, to show the people that they care about the country and not individual achievements which is the only way they can unseat the APC which he described as a kleptocratic government.