Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo as his spokesperson.
Okonkwo announced the appointment in a statement shared on his official X account.
“I give God all the glory to be appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank HE AA for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he said.
The former Labour Party chieftain, who recently joined the ADC, described the appointment as a reflection of Atiku’s leadership style, highlighting that the former vice president embraces dialogue.
“Rather than pick offence against any of his associates for expressing genuine reservations of any action taken, HE AA always opts for dialogue and compromise that will engender solution to problems,” Okonkwo stated.
According to him, the consultations considered the challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, while seeking to protect the region’s interests within the party.
“At a dialogue with HE AA and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress, the interests of the South-East have been discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he said.
The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo publicly criticised the ADC’s choice of vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
He had argued that reports indicating the party was considering a candidate from the South-South as Atiku’s running mate would deepen the political marginalisation of the South-East, which he noted had not produced either the president or vice president since 1999.