Former spokesman for Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said he was misled while campaigning for the former Anambra State governor during the last general election.
Okonkwo, who is now a spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, said information that became available to him after the election had changed his perception of Obi.
Speaking during an interview on TVC News’ Politics on Sunday, Okonkwo said he strongly defended Obi and his record in office during the 2023 campaign because he believed the information available to him at the time.
Asked what led to the breakdown of his relationship with Obi, the actor and lawyer replied, “Because I was misled.”
He recalled publicly defending Obi and his family during the electioneering period, including amid reports about an expensive wristwatch reportedly worn by President Bola Tinubu’s son.
Okonkwo said, “There was a time they figured out that Tinubu’s son was wearing a watch. Up to 135 million. I ran out on television and I said, nobody from Peter Obi’s family can ever wear such a thing when people are dying in poverty.
“I stake my reputation on it. Can I still say that today? There was a time I told Nigerians that Peter Obi was not owing anything. Did not leave any debt. He was not owing any salary. No gratuity. No pension.”
Okonkwo said his position began to change following claims by the Anambra State Government concerning Obi’s record while serving as governor of the state.
He added, “When I see facts, I agree to it. What’s the fact here now? Well, the fact is that Anambra State Government said he borrowed eight loans.
“The fact is that Anambra State said that Water Corporation owes the workers there. All the salaries. All the arrears.”
The claims cited by Okonkwo are part of the political disagreement surrounding Obi’s record as Anambra governor and remain disputed.
According to Okonkwo, the additional information available to him means he can no longer make some of the assertions he made while campaigning for Obi in 2023.
“I cannot say the same thing that I said about Peter Obi in 2023. Because with more information. That’s why I said in 2023, I campaigned for them in examination in chief. But in 2027, it’s going to be cross-examination,” he said.
Responding to questions about why he had become a vocal critic of a politician he vigorously supported four years ago, Okonkwo maintained that the circumstances surrounding their political relationship had changed.
He said, “Because a lot of people do not understand that if circumstances that drag you into something changes. If you do not change, then you are the one who is inconsistent.”
Okonkwo also pointed to Obi’s departure from the Labour Party, saying his decision to campaign for him in 2023 did not amount to an agreement to follow him to another political platform.
“Where is Labour Party today? Is Peter Obi a member of Labour Party? No. Good. I campaigned for him as a member of Labour Party. And as the presidential candidate of Labour Party, there was no agreement that I should follow him wherever he’s going to.
“Because if he’s going to fall into a pit, I do not have any contract to fall into the pit with him,” he added.
Okonkwo further said his assessment of Obi ahead of the 2027 election was different from the position he held when he campaigned for him in 2023.
“So what? The person you’re seeing now is completely different from the person I campaigned for. Different platform.
“From the information that I have heard, different human beings,” he said.
