Former Labour Party spokesperson and Nollywood actor Kenneth Okonkwo has officially been appointed as the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential campaign under the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This marks an important political shift for Okonkwo, who played an important role in Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential bid before leaving the Labour Party earlier this year.
Okonkwo confirmed the appointment on Thursday, 2nd of July, through a statement shared on his verified X account, expressing gratitude to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him. He described the decision as evidence of Atiku’s willingness to embrace dialogue rather than resentment, even after Okonkwo publicly criticized the ADC’s choice of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi as the party’s vice presidential candidate weeks earlier.
According to Okonkwo, discussions with Atiku and other ADC leaders helped address his concerns over the political interests of Nigeria’s South-East, which he had argued were being sidelined. He said the appointment followed productive engagements that convinced him the party remained committed to inclusiveness despite the constitutional and electoral constraints.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions across social media. Supporters of Atiku welcomed the move as a sign of unity within the ADC ahead of the 2027 general election. However, many supporters of Peter Obi criticized Okonkwo’s decision, pointing to his recent fallout with Obi, including an ongoing defamation dispute, as evidence of widening cracks between the former allies.
With the appointment, Okonkwo is now responsible for leading media communication and public engagement for Atiku’s presidential campaign.
