Kenneth Okonkwo Blasts ADC as Party Confirms Amaechi as Atiku’s Running Mate for 2027

Kenneth Okonkwo has criticized the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the party’s confirmation of former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, as the running mate to its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The ADC’s decision ends weeks of speculation over who would emerge as Atiku’s vice-presidential choice. Party leaders described the selection as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the party’s chances in the forthcoming election and consolidating support across key regions of the country.

Amaechi, a seasoned politician and former presidential aspirant, brings decades of political experience to the ticket. His emergence is being viewed by supporters as an attempt to create a formidable opposition platform capable of challenging for power in 2027.

However, the announcement has drawn criticism from prominent lawyer, actor, and politician Kenneth Okonkwo, who expressed his displeasure in a post on his verified X handle.

Okonkwo argued that the choice of Amaechi, who is from the South-South region, overlooks the South-East, a region that has not produced either a President or Vice President since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

According to him, excluding the South-East from both the presidential and vice-presidential positions on the ADC ticket raises concerns about fairness, equity, and inclusion. He maintained that the region deserves greater consideration, particularly given its contributions to opposition politics and coalition-building efforts.

The former Labour Party chieftain stated that he entered politics to promote justice and equal representation and suggested that he would find it difficult to support a presidential ticket that does not adequately accommodate the South-East at the highest levels of leadership.

His reaction has triggered fresh debate within political circles, with supporters and critics weighing in on the issues of zoning, regional balance, and electoral strategy ahead of the 2027 general election.

Despite the controversy, the ADC insists that the Atiku-Amaechi ticket represents a strong combination of experience, leadership, and national reach as the party positions itself for the next presidential contest.