Kenneth Okonkwo, former spokesperson for the Labour Party, blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its current crisis, claiming its leaders have become subservient to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He stated that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Nyesom Wike diminished the PDP’s status as an opposition party. Wike, a former governor and prominent PDP member, accepted a ministerial position after opposing the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in 2023.
In a February 7, 2025, interview on Channel Television’s Sunrise Daily, Okonkwo explained that this appointment made PDP leaders subservient to Wike, whom he accused of aligning with the APC. He criticized the PDP for accommodating members of the G5 faction, who openly undermined the party, and warned that their influence could lead to a takeover.
On Atiku’s recent remarks alleging that the APC bribes opposition parties to destabilize them ahead of the 2027 election, Okonkwo disagreed, asserting that such claims reflect poorly on the opposition’s integrity rather than the ruling party. He argued that the APC is justified in using any means to weaken its opponents.
“I refuse to blame the ruling party for opposition failures,” he stated. “Atiku’s comments only expose the corruption within opposition parties. There can be no giver without a willing receiver. It’s a legitimate strategy for any political entity to destabilize its opponents.”
Okonkwo urged opposition parties to take responsibility for their shortcomings, asserting that Atiku’s assertions indicate their incompetence and corruption. “The opposition has failed to meet the expectations of the Nigerian people. They must acknowledge this, reject the ruling party’s disruptive offers, and take corrective action. Their current state of vulnerability shows incompetence and corruption,” he concluded.
PDP’s Power Struggle: Wike’s Appointment Solidifies APC’s Grip — Okonkwo
