Atiku unveils Kenneth Okonkwo as new Spokesperson

The former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has recently nominated Kenneth Okonkwo, who is a chieftain in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party, as his spokesman, only a few weeks after the actor turned politician publicly criticized the selection of a vice-presidential candidate by the political party for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

Okonkwo made the confirmation through an official statement released on his X page on Thursday. He thanked Atiku for granting him the honor.

“I give God all the glory to be appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his Spokesperson. I thank HE AA for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he said.

He described the appointment as evidence of Atiku’s leadership style, saying, “Rather than pick offence against any of his associates for expressing genuine reservations of any action taken, HE AA always opts for dialogue and compromise that will engender solution to problems.”

Okonkwo disclosed that during discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the ADC, concerns over the interests of the South-East were addressed despite what he described as challenges created by the Electoral Act, 2026.

“At a dialogue with HE AA and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress, the interests of the South-East have been discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he stated.

He also thanked Dr Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr Ekene Onwuka, for their roles in strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 election.

“My sincere gratitude to my family, fans, and friends for their support and prayers, which God answered in covering my errors and colouring my efforts to pave way for this appointment. I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision, and protection needed to carry out this challenging post, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he added.

It comes a few weeks after Okonkwo accused the party of choosing an inappropriate vice-presidential candidate to contest the elections in 2027, saying that such a move may contribute to marginalizing the South-East politically.

In this case, Okonkwo claimed that the news suggesting that the party had already picked a candidate for this position, who came from the South-South, means that the South-East will still not have any chance to be represented either by the President or Vice-President for the second time since 1999.

Nowadays, the African Democratic Congress party chose former governor of Rivers State and former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, as a vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election, having chosen Atiku to be a presidential candidate of their party after its nationwide primary.