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Kenneth Okonkwo Resigns from Labour Party, Cites Leadership Crisis
Veteran actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has announced his resignation from the Labour Party, effective February 25, 2025. He made the announcement in a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter) on February 11, citing the party’s internal leadership crisis and lack of structure as key reasons for his departure.
Reasons for Resignation
Okonkwo pointed out that, according to the Labour Party’s constitution, the tenure of ward, local government, and state executives is three years. However, no congresses have been held within the stipulated period, rendering the leadership at these levels obsolete.
He also highlighted that the former National Chairman, Julius Abure, and his National Working Committee (NWC) failed to conduct a legally recognized national convention. Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not recognize the Abure-led NWC, and the courts have ruled that party leadership disputes fall under internal party affairs, Okonkwo argued that the Labour Party currently lacks legitimate leadership at the national level.
Caretaker Committee and Internal Struggles
The Labour Party’s National Executive Council (NEC) had set up a Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, to organize congresses and a national convention within six months. This move followed INEC’s rejection of the Abure-led NWC. However, Okonkwo accused Abure and his allies of collaborating with external forces to obstruct the committee through legal battles, preventing it from functioning effectively.
Call for Political Restructuring
Okonkwo, who is also a lawyer, expressed dissatisfaction with Abure’s leadership, particularly regarding the party’s direction for the 2027 presidential election. He suggested that if Abure were truly committed to the emergence of a southern presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu, he should have ceded the position of National Chairman to the north.
Pledge to Continue Political Engagement
Declaring the Labour Party “non-existent as presently constituted,” Okonkwo stated that he had no choice but to step away from the party. However, he expressed gratitude to Nigerians who supported him and pledged his continued commitment to the country’s political future.
His resignation will take effect on February 25, 2025, marking the second anniversary of the 2023 presidential election. Okonkwo hinted at future political engagements, stating that he would align himself with like-minded Nigerians to push for good governance and a better future for the nation.
