APC not to blame for opposition’s failure, says Kenneth Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo, a former chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), says opposition parties have not lived up to the expectations of Nigeria.

Okonkwo served as the LP’s presidential campaign spokesperson in the 2023 elections.

Last month, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar alleged that President Bola Tinubu’s administration paid N50 million bribe to opposition parties to weaken their leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reacting to Atiku’s statement while appearing on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Okonkwo said he is ashamed of the opposition party over the bribery allegation against the ruling party.

“I will never blame the ruling party for anything that is happening in the opposition party,” he said.

“I listened to his excellency Atiku Abubakar saying that the ruling party gives N50 million to the opposition party.

“I was not ashamed of the ruling party. I was ashamed of the opposition party. You are indicting the opposition that they are very corrupt. If there is no willing receiver, there would be no available giver.

“It is a legitimate political weapon for any association, party or country to use whatever means to destabilise the opposition.

“Reject the ruling party’s offer because it is in their political interest to destabilise the opposition.”

Okonkwo, a one-time member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said opposition has not lived up to the expectations of the Nigeria people.

He added that opposition parties should own up and take responsibility for their failure.