The political landscape in Nigeria continues to heat up as a prominent figure within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has strongly rebuffed actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo. Okonkwo had publicly voiced his disapproval regarding the selection of former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate for Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Eze, who serves as the ADC chieftain, expressed that he was not taken aback by what he termed the “misguided and unfortunate trash” emanating from Okonkwo. Okonkwo had earlier declared his withdrawal of support for Atiku, citing the choice of Amaechi as his vice-presidential candidate. This decision reportedly followed an official announcement by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming the ticket.
Okonkwo had argued that any political arrangement for 2027 that excludes the South-East from the top two executive positions perpetuates an unpardonable injustice against the Igbo people. However, Eze, a former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and a close associate of both Atiku and Amaechi, dismissed Okonkwo’s stance as the rantings of someone confused and overzealous, suggesting he treats politics like a Nollywood script.
Eze asserted that Okonkwo’s criticism is not genuinely about Amaechi but stems from his own political troubles. “He is an emerging betrayer, a man who speaks from both sides of his mouth,” Eze said, pointing to Okonkwo’s earlier attacks on Peter Obi, whom he once revered. Okonkwo now faces a N5 billion defamation lawsuit from Obi, which Eze believes has driven his recent actions.
The ADC chieftain launched a series of verbal jabs, describing Okonkwo as an “aimless, toothless, rabies-infested dog on the loose” and a “greenhorn, erratic and myopic about Nigeria’s politics.” He insisted that Atiku does not need Okonkwo’s support to win the presidency and that Amaechi’s selection is strategically sound.
Eze emphasized that Amaechi, being married to Dame Judith Amaechi from the South-East, is considered a son of the Igbo region according to local customs. He also noted that Atiku’s previous vice-presidential picks—Senator Ben Obi, Peter Obi, and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa—were all Igbo, countering claims of marginalization. Eze concluded that Amaechi’s credentials make him the best choice for the ADC and Nigeria, and he praised the Atiku-Amaechi ticket as a winning combination.