Labour Party chieftain and former presidential campaign spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, has declared that he does not recognize Julius Abure as the party’s leader. Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Okonkwo made it clear that while he remains a Labour Party member, he does not align with Abure’s leadership.
“As it is now, I have already left if Abure is the Chairman,” he stated. His comment adds another layer of uncertainty to the ongoing leadership crisis within the party.
In July 2024, Okonkwo had publicly distanced himself from the Labour Party, announcing his departure. His latest remarks, however, suggest a more complicated position—one where he insists on staying in the party but not under Abure’s leadership.
Labour Party’s Leadership Crisis Deepens
The Labour Party has been entangled in leadership disputes, with both Abure and Esther Nenadi Usman claiming control. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) invalidated Abure’s leadership, citing violations of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
In response, a faction of the party appointed former senator Esther Usman as the chairperson of a 29-member caretaker committee. This decision came after a stakeholders’ meeting convened by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in Umuahia. The meeting was attended by notable party figures, including 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi and his running mate Datti Baba-Ahmed.
However, in January 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja ruled in favor of Abure, affirming his position as the national chairman. Justice Hamma Barka upheld a previous decision from November 2024, declaring that Abure remains the legitimate leader unless another court rules otherwise.
Kenneth Okonkwo’s Political Identity Under Scrutiny
Okonkwo’s position on Labour Party leadership appears contradictory. While he publicly opposes Abure, he still insists on being a Labour Party member. This stance has left many political observers confused about his actual intentions.
Some argue that his background as an actor might be influencing his ever-changing political roles. After all, actors are trained to adapt to different characters, and Okonkwo seems to be shifting between political identities with ease.
To me, his approach to politics lacks consistency, making it difficult to take his statements seriously. Whether he remains in the Labour Party or ultimately distances himself from it we can’t tell. What is clear, however, is that the Labour Party’s internal crisis is far from over.
