As per a Daily Post report published on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a leader in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has taken issue with actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo for his remarks criticizing the selection of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi from Rivers State as the running mate for the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for the 2027 elections.
This situation comes after discussions within the ADC and its political alliances as they prepare for the upcoming 2027 general elections, where it is believed that Atiku Abubakar has chosen Amaechi to be his vice-presidential partner.
The decision that was reported has since been affirmed by a statement from the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, which sparked significant political discourse.
In response to the announcement, Kenneth Okonkwo showed clear discontent with the decision, arguing that a presidential ticket lacking a representative from the South-East in one of its top two spots would signify ongoing political exclusion.
He characterized this omission as a continuation of what he perceives to be unfair treatment towards the Igbo people within Nigeria’s political framework.
In a rebuttal released on Tuesday, Eze rejected Okonkwo’s viewpoint, claiming that the comments attributed to him were not only inappropriate but also demonstrated a lack of political sophistication.
He asserted that Okonkwo’s response indicated a misunderstanding of the complexities involved in party negotiations and elite political decision-making leading up to the 2027 elections.
Eze continued by stating that Okonkwo’s public comments showed inconsistency in his political affiliations and judgments, suggesting that his approach to political discussions often seemed driven by emotions instead of strategy.
He proposed that Okonkwo’s criticisms of party choices revealed a lack of understanding of internal discussions and the broader coalition-building efforts within the ADC and its partners.
Eze also connected Okonkwo’s current political stance to his previous public disputes with Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, pointing out that his actions had placed him in a challenging situation both politically and legally.
Eze noted that the ongoing issues related to Okonkwo’s remarks about Obi had brought him reputational and legal troubles, including a defamation lawsuit.
“The pressure is mounting on Okonkwo due to his harsh comments directed at Peter Obi, whom he once praised as Nigeria’s greatest political leader. He is worried about the N5 billion defamation lawsuit filed against him by Obi,” stated the ADC leader.
