Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has claimed that Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, left the ADC not due to ideological differences or internal conflicts, but because he fears competitive primary elections. Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Wednesday, Okonkwo, an actor-turned-politician, argued that Obi’s decision to exit the party was rooted in his long-standing aversion to open and fair electoral contests within political parties. He stated that Obi’s primary motivation was to avoid facing a primary election, despite the candidate citing other reasons for his departure.
Okonkwo emphasized that Obi has consistently steered clear of competitive primaries throughout his political journey. Instead, he has relied heavily on political negotiations and behind-the-scenes arrangements to secure nominations and positions. “Peter Obi is afraid of free and fair primary elections,” Okonkwo said during the interview. “He gave reasons of challenges, but his main reason is that he does not want to face the primary election.”
The ADC chieftain further noted that Obi has never participated in a truly competitive primary and is unlikely to do so in the future. “He has never been in one, and he will not be in one until he finishes his political career,” Okonkwo declared. This observation highlights a pattern in Obi’s political strategy, where alliances and consensus-building often take precedence over public electoral processes within parties.
Okonkwo’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about party primaries and democratic processes in Nigeria’s political landscape. His remarks have sparked debate about the transparency and inclusiveness of candidate selection in Nigerian politics. While some may view Obi’s approach as pragmatic, others see it as a potential barrier to genuine democratic participation within parties.
The Labour Party, which Obi now represents, has not publicly responded to Okonkwo’s claims. However, the ADC’s statement underscores the growing scrutiny on how political candidates secure nominations and the role of internal party democracy. As Nigeria prepares for future elections, the issue of fair primaries remains a critical topic for political reform and public discourse.
This development adds another layer to the narrative surrounding Peter Obi’s political trajectory and the dynamics within Nigeria’s opposition parties. It also raises questions about how candidates will navigate internal party structures in the coming years. The focus on primary elections may become even more pronounced as more parties seek to strengthen their democratic processes.
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