Why I Can No Longer Defend Peter Obi’s Lifestyle – Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo and Peter Obi

Why I Can No Longer Defend Peter Obi’s Lifestyle – Okonkwo

ENUGU – Kenneth Okonkwo, the former spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council and current chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has officially recanted his previous public defense of the lifestyle of the 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

In a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, Okonkwo revealed that he has reconsidered his past remarks regarding the wealth and spending habits of Nigerian political leaders and their families.

The former Nollywood actor specifically recalled an incident during the 2023 election cycle when he publicly stated that no member of the Obi family could afford a luxury wristwatch valued at ₦135 million—a direct comparison to a watch worn by one of President Bola Tinubu’s sons.

“When Tinubu’s son wore a ₦135m watch, I said nobody from Obi’s family can ever wear such,” Okonkwo stated. “I made that statement based on the perception that the Obi family lived a modest lifestyle.”

However, Okonkwo now claims that new information has made it impossible for him to continue making such assertions. He cited the recent disclosures by the Anambra State Government regarding Obi’s tenure as governor, which alleged that the former governor left behind massive debts and unpaid salaries.

“I have reconsidered my previous remarks regarding the lifestyles of Nigerian political leaders and their families,” Okonkwo said. “Given the revelations about the debts and unpaid salaries allegedly left behind in Anambra, I cannot repeat that statement.”

The ADC spokesperson’s reversal marks a significant shift in the political landscape, as Okonkwo was one of Obi’s most vocal defenders during the 2023 general elections. His latest comments are expected to spark further debate regarding the financial transparency of political leaders and the ongoing war of words between the Obidient movement and the Anambra State Government.

Attempts to get a reaction from the Peter Obi media team were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.