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By Anthony Isibor and Christabel Ejenike
THE crisis in the Labour Party took another turn on July 27, 2024 when Kenneth Okonkwo, one of the ardent supporters of the Labour Party declared that he had lost confidence in Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.
Okonkwo’s outburst, which was expressed through a statement he posted on his X handle, Titled “POLITICAL JOURNEY TO A GREAT NIGERIA AND THE NEED FOR A NEW ALIGNMENT” may have been his opinion, but it was indeed the thoughts of many supporters of the Labour Party and staunch believers that the Peter Obi could have done more than go to court after the outcome of the 2023 general elections.
Okonkwo, who is both an Actor and a Lawyer, was one of Obi’s spokespersons during the election and had remained a supporter so it wasn’t surprising that his statement that he no longer believed that Peter Obi was capable of leading Nigeria was greeted with diverse reactions from the public. Some in support while others vehemently disagreed.
Peter Obi’s crime, which led to Okonkwo’s ‘vote of no confidence’ in him was summarized in a four point note, including that;after the 2023 elections, he expected that Peter Obi would seize the momentum and build a solid party of integrity that would have the solid base that “we need to overthrow these kakistocrats and kleptocrats. He just needed to give the right directives and everyone would fall in line. But Obi never did.” He is earnestly searching for such a leader who has the integrity and also the commensurate charisma and bravery to mobilise the people to sustain the victory, in the event that Nigeria votes for such a person. “The time for calm down is over.” “PO has refused to disassociate himself from the shenanigans and criminal activities of the former NWC of the Labour Party whose tenure has expired and even when he publicly demanded that the Abure led National Working Committee must organise an all inclusive convention that will guarantee the participation of all members of the Labour Party in the choice of their leaders. This didn’t happen and that he has lost confidence that PO has what it takes to build a party that can win these kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and above all, he has proved that even if the people vote for him, he doesn’t have what it takes to secure the mandate. I don’t intend to embark on such a campaign as we did in 2023, projecting a person who cannot sustain the victory even if he wins.
Okonkwo’s outburst may have come from a sincere standpoint when he declared that Nigerians need a decisive leader who will be “Selfless enough, in boldness and bravery, to secure our victory, when the people vote for such leader”; a leader, who will be willing to be in the forefront of endeavours geared towards fighting to ensure that the person they vote for is sworn in as President.
Coming at the wake of the “Endbadgovernance” protest, Okonkwo most certainly expected Obi to at least lead the protest as he has said in countless interviews after the controversial statement of July 27.
To this call, another veteran actor; Okey Bakassi, has a completely different opinion on the issues raised by Okonkwo and believes that Obi is not the weakling that Okonkwo has painted him to be.
For Okey Bakassi, Obi is a courageous leader, a strong man, equal to other men and a wise man, who understands that Nigerian politics must be approached with wisdom.
Bakkasi who used Nigeria’s political history to explain why Obi’s cool demeanor and approach to Nigerian politics was necessary, explained how MKO Abiola was pushed to his death by overzealous supporters, who urged him to declare himself president after the 1993 presidential election in which he had won was annulled.
Bakassi, who urged Obi to continue to remain calm and stay away from everything that could give the government’s reason to arrest him, narrated how Nigerian leaders have met their sudden deaths in the past.
Speaking at a podcast on the issues, he said:
“This is a country where somebody like Nnamdi Kanu has been locked up by the APC government since Buhari. Till today, how many people have died in the South East over all manner of protests and lock down and yet those holding him have not released him and nobody is doing anything. So, you now want Peter Obi to come out and lead a protest and when he is held like Kanu, more people will again die in South East over nothing while the rest of the country will continue to move about and live their lives and while they hold Sit-At-Home on Mondays for Kanu, they will now have another Sit-At-Home on Tuesday for Obi, how many weeks is left in a week for the people to do their business? And when you now come out to say ‘On Peter Obi we stand’ they will offer money to some of the leaders who will now start saying that it is the Igbos who do not want you to progress. You know that the Igbos are always the ones to blame for everything
“This is the reality of Nigeria that we now live in and we cannot be making those kinds of careless mistakes again where your enemy sets a trap for you and you walk into it. If you were in this country when MKO Abila ran for election, he was supported massively by the people’s access board, including those from the South East, we all voted. MKO won and the election was annulled. The whole country was angry and people urged MKO to defend his mandate. “We are with you, defend your mandate, declare yourself president, they chanted”. His brothers pushed him, MKO declared himself and was arrested and locked up. They said if anything happened to him, Nigeria would burn. Some of the people in power now supported that call. That is how MKO died in prison. Sometimes we forget history. The man is gone and with him gone, his businesses suffered, his family suffered. Nigeria is still here, some of the people, who supported him have occupied government positions.
“His legacy today is remembered? They couldn’t even agree that the University of Lagos be named after him when former President Goodluck Jonathan suggested that it be renamed in honour of Abiola, The same MKO that was loved, that went to defend his mandate, was locked up in prison and died. Here was an opportunity to honour him and his own people said no! Then you want Peter Obi to just go and die. The small candidate that we have seen can help us.
“Peter Obi must stay away from protests, away from all traps set by humans, let him just be alive. I don’t know what Kenneth Okonkwo is driving when he said Obi is a coward, but i don’t think he is in a good position to make utterances about Peter, his profile, his direction, his wisdom, has capacity, his strength, Kenneth is nowhere in a position to make any such statements and I will tell you my reasons,” he said.
Okey Bakassi further stated that Kenneth Okonkwo was not in any position to judge Peter Obi’s character, approach or strength.
According to him, “Obi has won election twice, he was two times governor of Anambra State, he has survived trials and tribulations through electoral process, he was impeached, he went to court and reclaimed his mandate, he has shown strength.
“Obi went into a race 8 months before time and was able to put up a fight. For the first time any candidate who did not belong to any major political party won Abuja and Lagos, the two seats of government in Nigeria. He won both. No president has been president without winning those two places, but Obi won both to show how his reach is. Abuja is in the North and Lagos is in the West. He took those two states and INEC cannot deny it.
“The man has proved himself as a fighter, as a people mobiliser, as a person with integrity that people can confidently support whether he gives you money or not.
“Obi has nothing to prove to Kenneth who has not even won a single election, let alone taken to court to defend that election successfully. I know Peter personally, he is a strong man, forget his soft voice, he is a man that is equal to other men, but when you approach Nigeria politics, you must approach it with wisdom. History will tell you that people have gone. Bola Ige died and till tomorrow, the Nigerian State has not found the killer, Harry Marshall died in Rivers State and till today all we get are stories, Funsho Williams died in Lagos and it’s been all stories, they want to add Peter to the list,” he added.
Netizen, however, have expressed mixed reactions towards the two actors opinions about Obi’s leadership approach.
While some responses were diplomatic in addressing Kenneth Okonkwo, some handles out-rightly called Kenneth Okonkwo out interpreting the tone of his letter as indicative of his future actions while predicting his return to the APC party, others doubtful of Peter Obi’s capabilities.
One of such netizens; ‘@realcjasogwa’ who was reacting to Kenneth Okonkwo post HumanityFirst through a verified handle on X expresses profound disappointment and sadness upon reading Kenneth Okonkwo’s public letter criticizing Peter Obi, PO. As an ardent admirer of Okonkwo’s work, particularly his iconic movie “Living in Bondage,” this response comes from a place of respect and concern.
While acknowledging Okonkwo’s right to express his opinion, he, however, believes that his criticism of PO was overly harsh and unwarranted. PO’s non-violent nature and commitment to legal channels in claiming his mandate are commendable and should be recognized.
“The question remains: where have the strong individuals and military presence led the country? Has violence been an effective solution? HumanityFirst thinks not.
“Okonkwo’s contributions to the team will be deeply missed, but blaming PO for the rigged system is unfair. PO’s character and competence are essential qualities Nigeria needs.
“You concluded your letter by asking protesters to be peaceful. Why then do you think PO should pursue his aspiration violently?
“I wish you well in your future aspirations. But I remain with PO. His character and competence is what Nigeria needs. If you get a strong crook, you continue in this same mess we have.
“In the same vein Dave Chidozie @davechidozie another X handle user who responded to Barr.Kenneth’s post said that while he respects his decision, he could still make his point without taking a swing at Peter Obi. He further went on to disagree with Kenneth on his notion that Peter obi should build the Labour Party, putting forward that the people that ought to build the party with him said on national tv that he is not their leader and also that at the tribunal some of the Labour Party members were against him.
Dave Chidozie in his response posed the question “How do you want him to secure votes?”
For DON “Tobechukwu” Ade @Row Haastrup another verified handle on X comprehends what Kenneth has said and acknowledges the wisdom in his post stating that ‘a leader of Nigeria can never be gentle. You must be bold enough to face a lion.’ But also not putting the blame on Peter Obi describing him as a leader, who he prioritizes saving lives over aggressively confronting those controlling Nigeria.
Similarly Casmir Chima @casmir_ibeh says that only time will tell where Kenneth stands, but also urges Peter Obi to man up, noting that power can’t be wrestled from hooligans without a touch of ruggedity.
Also ‘OBIDIENT’ @Fabriziofan2022 notes that the timing of Okonkwo’s letter is questionable “I don’t have problems with your principle and decision but the timing”.
Juba @ayemojubar asks Peter Obi, are you the expected one, or shall we look for someone else? He went further to say that Nigeria needs a strong Leadership in this critical time. Quoting Psalm 78:72, ‘And David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.’
De’Otunba GCFRN 1 @de_generalnoni expressed surprise at Kenneth Okonkwo’s realization and also criticized Peter Obi as an opportunist. “Political journey??? I am surprised you of all people Kenneth does not know that Peter Obi is not a leader rather an opportunist!” He further went on to Suggests Sowore as a better alternative, despite criticizing his ideologies while also claiming to have previously warned Okonkwo who allegedly responded with insults “You can’t fight what you don’t believe in. Only a man with reputable character can lead Nigeria; Sowore would have done better, but his ideology stinks of violence and anarchy! Remember we all told you; you called us names; Now you have seen the light! Anyway congratulations on seeing The light!” he posted.
Meanwhile the responses to Okey Bakassi’s response to Keneth Okonkwo seem to lean on the supportive side, while many called out Okonkwo.
Spotlight Abby a verified account on X accolades the wisdom shown in Okey Bakassi’s analysis of the situation “The Holy Books say, “go to the wise and be wise.” Okey Bakassi, you’re wise! What an analysis!” She further expressed her disappointment towards Kenneth Okonkwo, saying “This is the level of wisdom that was expected of someone like @realkenokonkwo, but he totally missed it. I expected Kenneth Okonkwo who literally sat at the foot of Peter Obi to know this first hand”.
Daniel Ekpobedafe similarly praised Okey Bakassi on his insight “Yeah, I give it to Okey Bakassi here. These are some of the people who actually experienced and understands what the Nigerian (history) system is all about, and not most other younger ones who fly around like cockroaches with the same old politicians who are responsible for the poor system or lifestyle the ordinary Nigerian lives!”
Some netizens also expressed relief after Okey Bakassi’s video, thanking him for restoring their confidence in Peter Obi. Kelly Oziegbe “Bro Okey thanks for convincing me again about Peter Obi I was very angry with him, but am fine now may God deliver Nigeria from the oppressor”
Another X user; DAG @debo_rev a verified X handle said “The dumbest opinion I’ve heard in a century. If not for comedy, this one should be dumped in a wastebasket. How can someone be making such a stupid assertion”.
In conclusion, the opinions of both actors and the responses from netizens showed that they expressed different views and opinions on Peter Obi’s leadership style and approach. While some see him as weak, others appreciate his wisdom and non-violent strategy. However, their views reflect the complexities of Nigerian politics and the need for effective leadership.
12th August, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Kenneth Okonkwo Labour Party Okey Bakassi Peter Obi
