Atiku Saw Value in Me, Peter Obi Betrayed Me — Kenneth Okonkwo

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recognised his value, while accusing former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi of betraying him.

Okonkwo made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, barely 24 hours after Atiku appointed him as his official spokesman.

The Nollywood actor-turned-politician said he had already severed political ties with Obi in 2024 after concluding that the former Labour Party presidential candidate lacked the decisiveness required to govern Nigeria.

According to him, his decision to publicly distance himself from Obi was based on conviction rather than personal differences.

“As a public affairs analyst that I have been from 2009 before I ever met Peter Obi, I proceeded with my job,” Okonkwo said.

He recalled granting an interview in July 2024 in which he announced that he was no longer speaking on Obi’s behalf because he believed the former governor was not sufficiently decisive.

“I’ve seen in him certain qualities that make him unfit to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I made it public,” he stated.

Okonkwo explained that after ending his role with Obi, he resumed his independent political engagements and commentary, insisting that he acted transparently by informing the public that he no longer represented the former presidential candidate.

He rejected suggestions that he abandoned Obi, maintaining instead that he was the one who was betrayed.

“He was the one who betrayed me,” Okonkwo said.

The politician recently joined the ADC coalition and has become one of Atiku’s prominent allies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His appointment as Atiku’s spokesman followed recent disagreements within the coalition over the party’s choice of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as its vice-presidential candidate.

Okonkwo’s latest comments are expected to further fuel political debate between supporters of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi as opposition parties continue consultations ahead of the next presidential election.