Veteran Nollywood actor and former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused Peter Obi of betrayal, following Obi’s alignment with the Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party.
In a recent interview with Symfoni that began circulating online on Saturday, Okonkwo claimed that Obi ignored his advice and returned to support Abure’s camp despite alleged warnings about the group’s conduct and legitimacy.
“Peter Obi betrayed me,” Okonkwo stated. “The Abure faction misled him by claiming they had the backing of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
I warned him that returning to them would damage his political integrity.”
Okonkwo said he advised Obi privately against associating with the faction, which he described as undemocratic and influenced by government interests. He claimed Obi proceeded with the endorsement regardless.
“I made it clear I wouldn’t follow him if he chose that path,” he said.
“Not long after, Obi visited Abure’s office and publicly aligned with them. One of their members even mocked me by sending a video of the visit.”
He added that Obi only began presenting a neutral stance after INEC later distanced itself from the Abure-led faction, but by then, the damage was done.
The Labour Party has been entangled in a leadership crisis, with rival factions disputing control of the party.
The Abure group has faced accusations of financial mismanagement and authoritarian practices, raising concerns about the party’s democratic credibility.
Okonkwo, a longtime supporter of Obi’s political vision, cited these internal issues as the reason for his departure from the party in February 2025.