ADC Crisis: South-East Should Not Be Marginalised – Kenneth Okonkwo

Prominent actor, lawyer, and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has voiced strong reservations over the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s reported decision to select a vice-presidential candidate from the South-South region for the 2027 general election, arguing that such a move would further sideline the South-East from Nigeria’s top political offices.

Okonkwo made his position known in a statement shared on his social media platforms, where he stressed that the South-East remains the only geo-political zone in the country that has not produced either a President or Vice President since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

His reaction followed reports that the ADC had chosen former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidential election.

South-East Should Not Be Marginalised, Says Okonkwo

According to the former Labour Party chieftain, denying the South-East the vice-presidential slot after decades of political exclusion would amount to perpetuating injustice against the region.

He maintained that fairness, equity, and national inclusion should guide political decisions, particularly within opposition coalitions seeking to present themselves as alternatives capable of uniting Nigerians.

“The South-East remains the only geopolitical zone that has neither produced a President nor a Vice President since 1999,” Okonkwo argued.

He said any political arrangement that overlooks the region in the allocation of key leadership positions risks deepening feelings of marginalisation among its people.

References ADC Founder’s Sacrifice

Okonkwo also recalled the role played by the ADC’s founder, Ralph Nwosu, whom he said made significant sacrifices to support the coalition’s efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, Nwosu relinquished control of the party and stepped aside to facilitate broader opposition cooperation aimed at creating a stronger political platform.

“The ADC was founded by Ralph Nwosu from the South-East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people,” he stated.

The politician argued that after surrendering both the party’s leadership structure and presidential ambitions in the interest of coalition-building, it would be unfair for the South-East to be excluded from the vice-presidential position.

Appeal to Atiku Abubakar

Okonkwo further disclosed that he had previously urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to demonstrate his commitment to national inclusiveness by selecting a running mate from the South-East.

He noted that Atiku had publicly expressed support for the emergence of a South-East president in the future and said choosing a vice-presidential candidate from the region would be a practical way to reinforce that promise.

According to him, his position was not motivated by personal interests but by a desire to promote equity and balanced representation in Nigeria’s political system.

‘I Joined Politics to Fight Marginalisation’

The former actor reiterated that his involvement in politics has always been driven by the pursuit of a more inclusive Nigeria where no individual, ethnic group, or geopolitical zone is unfairly disadvantaged.

“I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, geo-political zone, or person will be marginalised,” he said.

He warned that continued exclusion of the South-East from top political positions could undermine efforts to build national unity and strengthen confidence in democratic institutions.

May Withhold Campaign Support

Okonkwo also indicated that his support for any presidential ticket in 2027 could depend on whether the South-East is adequately represented at the highest levels of the contest.

He stated that if reports about the vice-presidential nomination are eventually confirmed, he would find it difficult to actively campaign for a ticket that excludes the South-East from both the presidential and vice-presidential positions.

“I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South-East origin as President or Vice President in 2027,” he said.

Debate Over Power Rotation Intensifies

The development is likely to fuel ongoing discussions about power rotation, equity, and political representation ahead of the 2027 elections.

For years, leaders and stakeholders from the South-East have argued that the region deserves greater access to Nigeria’s highest political offices, citing its contributions to national development and its absence from the presidency and vice presidency in the current democratic dispensation.

As political parties continue consultations and alliance-building ahead of the next election cycle, debates over zoning, inclusion, and regional balance are expected to remain central issues in the evolving political landscape.