Former Labour Party (LP) stalwart Kenneth Okonkwo has alleged betrayal by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Okonkwo, who publicly left the Labour Party in February 2025, made the accusation during a conversation with Symfoni.
He stated: “Any politician that knows what he’s doing cannot be betrayed by another. If there is anybody that betrayed the other, I can say it emphatically that Peter Obi betrayed me.”
“The Julius Abure-led LP members lied to Obi that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had accepted them, and Obi quietly returned to them. But I warned him: ‘Sir, you have made a public statement on integrity. Even if INEC has accepted them, that doesn’t justify rejoining them—they’ve proven undemocratic. Aligning with them again will ruin your political career and undermine your credibility.’”
Okonkwo further claimed: “I cautioned Obi that these individuals were being used by the government to undermine him. Their actions were unlawful, and I refused to follow him if he reconciled with them.”
“I then informed everyone in our inner circle about Obi’s intentions. I made it clear that if he reunited with Abure’s faction, I wouldn’t support the move because I stand by my principles.”
He added: “Yet, within 72 hours, Obi publicly endorsed Abure’s leadership. One of their executives even sent me a video mocking me, showing Obi in their office validating them.”
Okonkwo noted that Obi only distanced himself after INEC denied recognizing Abure’s group, saying: “I told him neutrality wasn’t an option—action was necessary.”
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