The Labour Party (LP) has officially distanced itself from Kenneth Okonkwo, its former Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, stating that he is no longer a card-carrying member of the party. The announcement came in response to Okonkwo’s public resignation from the party, citing internal crises and leadership failures as his reasons for leaving.

Okonkwo’s Resignation and Criticism of LP Leadership

In a press statement released on Tuesday, Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent Nollywood actor and legal practitioner, announced his resignation from the Labour Party. He expressed disappointment with the party’s current state, describing it as “non-existent” and unfit to achieve the good governance he advocates for.

“My entrance to politics is for good governance, and I will continue to work for it to ensure that Nigeria becomes a great country of incorruptible men. This aim can no longer be realised within the Labour Party, as presently constituted,” Okonkwo stated.

He further criticized the party’s leadership, particularly National Chairman Julius Abure, accusing him of prioritizing personal interests over the party’s survival. Okonkwo also highlighted the failure of the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, which was set up to salvage the party but has been hindered by legal challenges.

“The former National Chairman of Labour Party, Julius Abure, and his former National Working Committee, having conducted no national convention known to law, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the courts having held that the issue of the leadership of a political party is the internal affair of a political party for which the courts do not have the jurisdiction to entertain, there’s no effective leadership of Labour Party at the national level,” Okonkwo said.

He added that the party’s inability to address internal conflicts and legal battles has left it in disarray, making it unprepared for the 2027 general elections.

Labour Party’s Response

In an exclusive interview with FRONTPAGE, the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Umar Farouk, dismissed Okonkwo’s resignation, stating that the former spokesman had already left the party months ago. Farouk accused Okonkwo of seeking relevance by dragging the party’s name through the mud.

“How many times is he going to resign from the party? Has he forgotten that he resigned about three, four, or five months ago? It is only when he wants to find relevance that he opens his mouth to start talking again. I have already addressed that issue with him,” Farouk said.

Farouk also criticized Okonkwo’s political career, describing him as an inconsistent politician who has switched parties multiple times. He urged Okonkwo to return to Nollywood, where he initially gained fame.

“He just finds joy throwing Abure’s name around. That is why every time he seeks relevance, he starts talking Labour Party and Abure. Let him go. He has been in APGA, PDP, and the APC. So what is he doing in Labour Party? Let him carry his bag and return to Nollywood where he came from. He should leave us alone. He doesn’t deserve to be in any political party because he is not a good politician,” Farouk added.

Okonkwo’s Political Journey

Kenneth Okonkwo’s political journey has been marked by frequent party switches. Before joining the Labour Party, he was a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC). His resignation from the Labour Party is the latest in a series of moves that have raised questions about his political stability and commitment.

In his resignation statement, Okonkwo hinted at the possibility of joining another political party in the future.

“This resignation takes effect from the 25th of February, 2025, which marks the second anniversary of the presidential election of 2023, after which I will be at liberty to join other well-meaning and like-minded Nigerians in charting a great future of good governance for this great country blessed by God,” he said.

Internal Crisis in the Labour Party

Okonkwo’s resignation has brought to light the ongoing internal crisis within the Labour Party. The party has been grappling with leadership disputes, legal battles, and defections, which have weakened its structure and credibility.

The Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, which was established to address these issues, has been unable to function effectively due to legal challenges initiated by Julius Abure and his allies. This has left the party in a state of limbo, with many members defecting to other political parties.

“Isn’t it curious that a national executive of a political party whose elected members are defecting every day to other parties, and who cannot wage legal battles to recover these seats for their party, is waging ferocious legal battles to maintain their destructive, choking hold on the party?” Okonkwo questioned.

Reactions from Political Analysts

Political analysts have weighed in on the situation, describing it as a reflection of the broader challenges facing opposition parties in Nigeria. Many have criticized the Labour Party for failing to capitalize on the momentum it gained during the 2023 presidential election, when it emerged as a strong contender under the leadership of Peter Obi.

“The Labour Party had a golden opportunity to establish itself as a viable alternative to the dominant parties, but internal conflicts and poor leadership have squandered that chance,” said political analyst Tunde Ojo.

Others have called for urgent reforms within the party to restore its credibility and prepare for future elections.

Conclusion

The resignation of Kenneth Okonkwo and the Labour Party’s response have exposed the deep-seated issues plaguing the party. As the 2027 general elections approach, the party faces an uphill battle to rebuild its structure, regain public trust, and present itself as a credible alternative to the ruling party.

For Okonkwo, his political future remains uncertain. Whether he returns to Nollywood or joins another political party, his departure from the Labour Party marks the end of a contentious chapter in his political career.