2027: OKONKWO FAULTS ADC VP CHOICE, WARNS OF SOUTHEAST MARGINALISATION
Read Time:2 Minute, 18 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticised the reported selection of the party’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, warning that it could worsen what he described as the continued marginalisation of the South-East in national politics.
Okonkwo, in a statement posted on his social media page on Monday, reacted to reports that the party had picked a South-South candidate for the vice-presidential slot, describing the development as “unfortunate” if confirmed.
He argued that such a decision would further exclude the South-East from occupying either the presidency or vice presidency since 1999.
“I heard from social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East,” he said.
Okonkwo noted that the South-East has neither produced a President nor Vice President since 1999, adding that repeated exclusion of the zone would amount to sustained political injustice.
“This geo-political zone has neither produced a President or Vice President since 1999. To deny the South-East the opportunity to produce the President or Vice President in ADC in 2027 will amount to perpetuating the marginalisation,” he added.
The actor-turned-politician also referenced the origins of the ADC, stating that it was founded by Ralphs Nwosu from the South-East in 2005, and argued that its founding history should reflect fairness in leadership distribution.
Okonkwo maintained that his participation in the political coalition was not to endorse exclusion but to promote equity in leadership.
“I did not join the coalition to assist in the further marginalisation of my own people,” he said.
He further disclosed that he had raised the issue with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urging him to consider a South-East candidate for the vice-presidential position, insisting that his support would depend on such inclusion.
“The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar… is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice,” he said.
Okonkwo added that he would not support any presidential ticket that excludes the South-East from either the presidential or vice-presidential slot in 2027.
“If it is confirmed that he has chosen a candidate from the South-South, I wish him well,” he said.
The development comes amid reports that the ADC has named former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as its vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election, on a joint “unity and rescue” ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The party said Amaechi’s emergence followed his strong performance in the presidential primary, where he finished as runner-up, as well as his experience in governance.
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