Kenneth Okonkwo Criticises ADC VP Choice, Declines Support for 2027 Ticket
By Rita Onuoha
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
A prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has expressed reservations over the party's reported selection of its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, arguing that the decision could reinforce the political marginalisation of the South-East.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Monday, Okonkwo reacted to reports that the party had chosen a vice-presidential candidate from the South-South geopolitical zone. He maintained that such a decision would further deny the South-East representation in Nigeria's two highest elective offices.
"I heard from social media that ADC has picked its vice-presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East," he stated.
Okonkwo noted that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, the South-East has neither produced a President nor a Vice President, stressing that overlooking the region again in 2027 would deepen feelings of political exclusion.
"This geopolitical zone has neither produced a President nor a Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President on the ADC ticket in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation," he said.
The former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation also recalled that the ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu, an indigene of the South-East, in 2005. According to him, the sacrifices made by the party's founding leadership should be reflected in equitable power-sharing arrangements.
"The ADC was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice of handing over the party in 2025 for the coalition to build a better Nigeria. That sacrifice should not result in the marginalisation of his own people," Okonkwo stated.
He further explained that his participation in the coalition movement was driven by the desire to promote fairness, inclusiveness, and national unity rather than political exclusion.
"I did not join the coalition to assist in the further marginalisation of my own people," he added.
Okonkwo disclosed that he had previously appealed to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to consider a South-East candidate for the vice-presidential position, describing it as a practical demonstration of his commitment to the region.
"The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar, who openly declared that he is the pathway to the presidency of the South-East, is to demonstrate it by choosing someone from the South-East as his running mate," he said.
He maintained that he would be unable to support or campaign for any presidential ticket that excludes the South-East from either the presidential or vice-presidential position in the 2027 election.
"If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well. However, I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027," Okonkwo concluded.
The development follows the ADC's announcement of former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, as its vice-presidential candidate alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidential election. The party described the pairing as a "unity and rescue ticket," citing Amaechi's experience in governance and his strong performance during the party's presidential primary.
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