Kenneth Okonkwo calls out political parties for failing Nigerians

Nigeria’s opposition parties are facing a crisis of credibility and resilience, according to Kenneth Okonkwo, a former chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) and a one-time presidential campaign spokesperson.

Okonkwo’s stinging rebuke comes in the wake of allegations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was offering N50 million bribes to opposition figures to weaken them ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Okonkwo dismissed the focus on Tinubu’s alleged political maneuvering and instead turned the spotlight on the opposition itself.

“I will never blame the ruling party for anything that is happening in the opposition,” Okonkwo stated bluntly. “I was not ashamed of the ruling party. I was ashamed of the opposition party. You are indicting the opposition, saying they are corrupt. If there is no willing receiver, there would be no available giver.”

His remarks have sparked intense debate about the state of Nigeria’s opposition, which has struggled to present a united and credible front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Political analyst Dr. Chidi Anyaegbu agrees with Okonkwo’s assessment, arguing that opposition parties have failed to build strong internal structures.

READ ALSO: APC will pick LP’s 2027 presidential candidate under Abure’s leadership — Kenneth Okonkwo

“Okonkwo is raising a valid point. The effectiveness of an opposition party is determined by its ability to resist external influences and offer real alternatives to the people. Right now, they are not doing that,” Dr. Anyaegbu told The Guardian.

The accusation that opposition leaders are susceptible to bribery is not new, but Okonkwo’s remarks underscore a deeper issue—Nigeria’s opposition appears unable to consolidate its base, discipline its ranks, or capitalize on public dissatisfaction with the ruling government.

“Reject the ruling party’s offer,” Okonkwo urged, emphasizing that while it is natural for a ruling party to try and weaken its opponents, it is ultimately the opposition’s responsibility to stand firm.

Political strategist Ifeoma Ogbonna suggests that the real problem lies in the absence of strong, ideological foundations within Nigeria’s opposition parties.

“The opposition needs more than just rhetoric. It needs a strategy, a clear vision, and strong leadership that cannot be swayed by financial inducements,” Ogbonna said. “If they continue on this path, they will lose public trust completely.”

Okonkwo, who previously belonged to the APC before joining the Labour Party, has witnessed Nigeria’s political landscape from both sides. His criticism goes beyond allegations of bribery; it is a call for opposition leaders to take responsibility and restore faith in their ability to govern.

“The opposition has not lived up to the expectations of the Nigerian people,” he concluded.