Okonkwo Rejects Atiku-Amaechi Ticket, Cites South-East Marginalisation

Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his support for the 2027 presidential bid of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar following the reported selection of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Okonkwo, who previously served as spokesperson for the Labour Party presidential campaign, announced his position in a post on his X handle on Monday shortly after reports emerged that Amaechi had been picked as Atiku’s vice-presidential candidate.

He expressed disappointment over what he described as the continued political exclusion of the South-East, warning that such decisions could deepen feelings of marginalisation in the region.

“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 wrote.

According to him, the South-East has remained without representation at the highest executive level since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, a situation he believes should be corrected rather than extended.

“This geo-political zone has neither produced a President nor 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 marginalisation,” he said.

Okonkwo also referenced the historical origins of the ADC, noting that it was founded by Ralphs Nwosu, who hails from the South-East, arguing that the region should not be sidelined in key political negotiations involving the party.

He further maintained that political sacrifices made by South-East leaders should translate into greater inclusion, not exclusion from top positions.

“I did not join politics to assist in the further marginalisation of my own people,” he said, adding that fairness and equity remain central to his political stance.

The former actor said he had earlier appealed to Atiku to demonstrate commitment to South-East inclusion through his choice of running mate, insisting that such a decision would have shown genuine national balance.

“The only favour I asked Atiku Abubakar… is to show it by choosing someone from the South-East to be his Vice,” he stated.

Okonkwo concluded that he would not support any presidential ticket that excludes the South-East from either the presidency or vice-presidency in the 2027 elections, adding that he wished the ticket well but would not be part of its campaign.