Politics
Peter Obi Betrayed Me – Kenneth Okonkwo Opens Up On Labour Party Fallout
Former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council and Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, has opened up about what he describes as a betrayal by Peter Obi, amid the internal leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party.
Speaking in an interview with Symfoni, which gained widespread attention on Saturday, Okonkwo revealed that he felt disappointed by Obi’s decision to back the Julius Abure-led faction of the party, despite earlier warnings against doing so.
“Any politician that knows what he’s doing cannot be betrayed by another. If there is anybody that betrayed the other, I can say it emphatically that Peter Obi betrayed me,” he said.
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Okonkwo, who announced his departure from the Labour Party in February 2025, disclosed that Obi had chosen to align with a faction he described as deceptive and undemocratic.
According to him, the group misled Obi into believing that they had been recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The Julius Abure-led LP members lied to Obi that the Independent National Electoral Commission had accepted them and Obi surreptitiously went back to them,” he alleged.
“But I told him: ‘Sir, you have made a public statement on integrity and even if INEC has accepted them, that is not a criterion for you to go back and start dealing with them because they have shown that they are not democratic. If you go back to them, they will destroy your political career and everything you have said about integrity will die.’”
Okonkwo said he personally appealed to Obi to stay away from the Abure-led group, stating that their actions were not only unconstitutional but appeared to serve external interests.
“I told Obi that these people had become agents in the hands of the government to destabilise him. What they did was absolutely illegal and unconstitutional. I told him that if he went back to them, I wouldn’t join him in doing so.”
He also claimed that he consulted with others in Obi’s political circle and made his position clear.
“Thereafter, I called all the people that were in the inner circle and told them the same thing about what Obi was trying to do. I told them he wanted to go back with the Abure people and if he did, I wouldn’t go back with him because I do not swallow back my words,” Okonkwo explained.
However, to his surprise, Obi went ahead and visited the Abure faction, offering a public endorsement — a move Okonkwo described as shocking and disappointing.
“And after saying all those things, within like 72 hours, Obi went back to Abure’s office to publicly endorse them and while he was there talking to them, one of the leaders in that executive sent me the video to mock me that the person I was fighting for against them has come to their office to endorse them.”
Following that incident, Okonkwo noted that Obi later attempted to play neutral — especially after INEC publicly dissociated itself from the Abure leadership.
“It was when INEC dissociated itself from Abure that Obi came out to start acting neutral but I told him he could not be neutral and something had to be done,” he concluded.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised the alarm over a fake online recruitment notice claiming that the commission has commenced the recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff ahead of the 2027 General Election.
INEC issued the warning on Monday, August 31, 2026, following the circulation of a message online directing prospective applicants to a website purportedly created for the recruitment exercise.
The electoral commission dismissed the information as false, stressing that the recruitment notice and website did not originate from it.
SEE MORE: 2027: ‘We Must Build the Table’ — Opposition Leaders Meet in Abuja to Challenge Tinubu
In a statement, INEC said, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a message circulating online claiming that the Commission is currently recruiting and training ad-hoc staff for the 2027 General Election.”
The commission further clarified that the website being circulated is not its official recruitment portal.
“This information is not from INEC. The website/link being circulated is NOT an official INEC recruitment portal,” INEC stated.
The electoral body warned Nigerians against clicking on the link or providing personal information through the platform, particularly as fraudulent recruitment websites can be used to obtain sensitive details or solicit payments.
“Members of the public are strongly advised NOT to click on the link, submit personal information, upload documents or make any payment through the platform,” the commission warned.
INEC advised members of the public to rely only on its verified communication channels and official websites for information concerning recruitment and election-related activities.
“INEC’s official recruitment and election-related announcements are published through the Commission’s verified communication channels and official websites,” it said.
The commission directed Nigerians seeking authentic information to visit its official website, inecnigeria.org.
INEC also noted that it had previously warned the public about fraudulent websites and fake recruitment advertisements purporting to originate from the commission.
The electoral body urged Nigerians to disregard the latest notice and avoid further circulating it.
“Please disregard and do not circulate this false recruitment notice,” INEC said.
The commission concluded its warning with an appeal to Nigerians to verify the authenticity of online information before clicking on links or submitting personal details.
“Stay informed. Stay safe. Always verify before you click,” INEC stated.
Several opposition political leaders and prominent figures have converged on Abuja for a summit aimed at forging a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The meeting, being held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, attracted notable opposition figures including the Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, Donald Duke; Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewale Adebayo; and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu.
SEE MORE: ‘APC Is Irredeemable’ — Ex-Minister Timipre Sylva Dumps Party, Blasts Tinubu Govt
The summit was convened by political pressure group G-100 as part of efforts to bring opposition parties together to mount a stronger challenge against President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2027.
Also attending the gathering are the Allied Peoples Movement vice-presidential candidate, Lawal Daura; PRP National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed; SDP vice-presidential candidate, Usman Bugaje; and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi.
The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Bolaji Abdullahi, and G-100 Convener, Salihu Lukman, are also among those participating in the summit.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Lukman urged opposition parties to put aside their differences and work towards a common objective of advancing the interests of Nigerians.
He stressed that the proposed cooperation was not about forcing political parties to dissolve or abandon their identities, but about creating a platform where they could work together towards a shared goal.
“We are not asking any political party to dissolve. Let us agree that we must build the table before negotiating the seats,” Lukman said.
The summit comes amid increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties and political actors exploring possible alliances and coalition arrangements.
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress, APC, describing the ruling party as “irredeemable” and accusing the President Bola Tinubu-led administration of disappointing Nigerians.
Sylva announced his resignation in a letter dated August 31, 2026, addressed to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
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Copies of the letter were sent to the APC National Chairman, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State.
The former minister, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he took the decision after consulting his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.
Sylva said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders, according to him, had embraced the belief that “all is fair in politics.”
He said, “Having consulted widely with my family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers, I wish to formally tender my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with immediate effect.
“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.”
He added, “Moreover, I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to belong to a party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics;’ and have consistently demonstrated that belief in practice.”
Sylva attacks Tinubu administration
Sylva also criticised the APC-led Federal Government, saying it had disappointed the majority of Nigerians.
“The present Government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians. And I can see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp,” he stated.
Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” Sylva said he had no choice but to leave the party.
“I am therefore left with no other choice than to jettison a floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities,” he said.
The former governor also expressed confidence that Nigerians would vote for change in the 2027 general elections.
“I have no doubt that, in the coming election, Nigerians will vote for Nigeria and free the Country from this stranglehold on our beautiful country,” Sylva stated.
Why Sylva copied EFCC
The former minister also explained his decision to copy the EFCC in his resignation letter.
Sylva acknowledged that the move could lead to increased scrutiny of him and his associates by the anti-graft agency, but said he was prepared to face whatever consequences might arise.
“I am fully aware that this action of mine may invite a redoubled witch-hunt against me and my associates, but that is a risk I am willing to take,” he said.
Resignation amid alleged coup plot investigation
Sylva’s resignation comes amid allegations linking him to an alleged plot to overthrow the Tinubu administration.
The Federal Government previously named him as a suspect in a wider investigation into an alleged coup plot uncovered in 2025. Sylva has repeatedly denied involvement in the alleged plot.
The development had led to the arrest and prosecution of several military and civilian suspects.
In April 2026, six defendants were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges including treason, terrorism and money laundering.
Reports published in August also alleged that Sylva was linked to the financing of the purported coup plot. However, the former governor has denied the allegations.
The controversy had earlier intensified in October 2025 following a military operation at Sylva’s Abuja residence.
Sylva confirmed that soldiers from Defence Headquarters raided the property but rejected any suggestion that he was involved in a plan to overthrow the government, describing the operation as unjustified.
His resignation comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the ruling APC and opposition forces positioning themselves for what is expected to be a keenly contested election.
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