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I’ll support Obi again only if – Kenneth Okonkwo *Tinubu messing up Nigeria
Kennth Okonkwo, veteran Nollywood actor and spokesman of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2023 election, on Tuesday gave condition for re-enacting his support for the former Governor of Anambra State in 2027.
That would only come if there is a coalition in which all the parties involved chose the former governor as its candidate and not Obi as a lone-ranger as was the case in the last effort.
A guest of Politics Today, a public affairs programme on Channels Television, Okonkwo, who earlier announced his severance from the Labour Party (LP), the platform under which Obi contested the last election alongside Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, as the Vice Presidential candidate, had earlier expressed disgust about Obi’s treatment of the outcome of the election as the major reason for his change of attitude.
Though he had participated in the legal efforts put up by Obi and the LP, the Nollywood veteran, had said when he first announced his withdrawal of support for Obi that he favoured a more forceful and decisive attitude of the former governor towards the recovery of his mandate, which included street agitations.
Okonkwo, who incidentally acknowledged the influence of external forces, particularly expressed revulsion against Obi’s reticent attitude to the leadership tussle in the LP, saying had he been more decisive from the outset instead of hedging, the situation would not have degenerated to its present level.
Reiterating the position on Tuesday, he said: “I said it and I maintain it because in Nigeria, people will not give you their mandate and you treat it with levity.
“You must do everything decisively to secure it. Unfortunately, nature has bestowed on us the duty that in Nigeria, you will not only win an election, but you have to fight for your mandate.
“It has become part of our democracy. And remember I told you that the indecisiveness of what happened in the Labour party was the last straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Hugging the idea of a coalition as the best option, he said if such an arrangement made Obi its choice, he would be all for it, adding: “Now, you’re coming into democracy, if the whole opposition should come together, and I decide that I’ve seen that this collectivity has the interest of Nigeria at heart, whoever they bring, if I’m in the mood, why not?
In the same vein Okonkwo, also spoke on his possible return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying though not impossible, as he was not the one to use the expression – never – but such a move would not come with the way President Bola Tinubu was messing up the lives of Nigerians through his policies and style of governance.
Hear him: “First of all, I have told you before and at the risk of being misunderstood, that I don’t use the word never in all that I’m doing. Never belongs to God.
“But why did leave APC in the first place? They were the party that was moving Nigeria in the wrong direction security-wise, economy-wise, and I waited to see whether if there was a new government, when there was a change of power we could see a new lease. Then Tinubu came and then decided to choose a fellow Muslim to become his Vice President in addition to the security problem, in addition to the economic problem.
“So, Tinubu now displayed that he’s a man that is cantankerous to the spirit of diversity. I was telling my Muslim brothers that it is not about religious sentiment, it is about a man who does not recognise our religious diversity will not recognise our ethnic diversity. And he simply a man who is cantankerous to the spirit of our diversity.
“What is happening today? The Muslims are suffering the most in this country, because it is about using them to acquire power. He just gives posts to the North without power and gives power to his people.
“So, if you’re saying I’m going back to the APC, if I say I’m the one looking for good governance for Nigeria and I see a man who has chastised Nigeria with serpents, who has made Nigerians to start paying one thousand-something, rather than N195 that they were paying before he came into office; if I say I’m going back to the APC to meet a country or a party where the leaders – a General – the DG of NYSC is being picked on the road like a common criminal, and in my place, the South East, you could see how a member of the House of Assembly was killed and his corpse deposited along the road, if I see all these things and I get back to the APC, then I’m not serious when I say I’m fighting for good governance.
“Let me tell you, I’ll be the first to admit if APC changes today and it is doing good for Nigeria. But don’t tell me that in out of the six geopolitical zones, a man came in and he is choosing only people out of the South West – not even only the Yoruba or the qualified ones, but his own loyalists from Lagos – as I’ve always told you – Jagabanese protegees, tainted with Emilokan philosophy.
“You want me to go back to the same party? I resigned on principles and until those issues are addressed, I remain opposed to any party that would not recognise our diversity. I’m not in politics to jive.
“I’m in politics for the people. The greatness I’m enjoying today is from the love of the people. When I want to take a position, I look for what is right or wrong, what is true or false.”
The idea of blanket pardoning of terrorists instead of punishing them is a disservice to their victims, Christian Association of Nigerian Americans (CANAN), has said, urging the Federal Government to halt the programme which has since raised a lot of dust within the polity.
The group told reporters during a zoom meeting that reintegrating suspected terrorists into society without first putting them through the judicial process amounted to great injustice which should never be allowed to happen.
Dr James Fadel, and Banjo Olaniyan, President, and Executive Director of the body, while outlining its position on terrorism, religious freedom and security reforms, also reviewed the thinking of Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor, during the recent U.S.–Nigeria Faith Heroes Award in Washington, D.C. on the volatile security situation in Nigeria.
It said: “CANAN remains concerned about reports that some captured terrorist suspects have been reintegrated into society without transparent judicial processes.
“We respectfully urge the Federal Government to ensure that all persons accused of terrorism are handled in accordance with the rule of law. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. Upholding due process honours the memory of victims, strengthens public confidence in the justice system, and discourages future acts of violent extremism,” the association said.
Expressing excitement on some of the feats recorded by security operatives in recent times, the group, particularly commended them over the arrest of suspected commanders of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), saying those efforts should be followed by diligent prosecution in line with the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Hear the group: “Due process, accountability, and appropriate punishment for those found guilty are essential to justice for victims and to deterring future acts of terrorism.”
The association equally welcomed continued counterterrorism cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, saying every successful operation against terrorist groups strengthens hope for lasting peace, protects innocent lives and contributes to Nigeria’s stability and development.
On the proposed State Police, CANAN congratulated the National Assembly and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for advancing constitutional reforms to establish the new policing structure, describing it as an important step in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
It, however, urged the authorities to include credible civil society representatives in State Police oversight structures to promote transparency, accountability, public confidence and respect for human rights.
The briefing also drew attention to Pastor Adeboye’s message at the Faith Heroes Award, where he thanked the United States Government for supporting Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts but stressed that the country still faced an uphill battle against terrorism.
Recalling Adeboye’s remarks, the association quoted him as saying: “While I deeply appreciate the support of the United States Government, the mission is far from over. Innocent Nigerians continue to be killed almost daily by terrorist groups.”
CANAN said the cleric also encouraged Nigerians in the diaspora to engage U.S. policymakers on the need for stronger American support for Nigeria’s counterterrorism campaign.
The cleric also said: “The administration should intensify efforts to identify, investigate, and bring to justice not only those who carry out terrorist attacks but also those who sponsor, finance, and benefit from terrorism.
“Dismantling the entire network behind terrorism is indispensable if Nigeria is to bring this menace to an end.”
The association said Adeboye also appealed to Christians across the country and everyone who values religious freedom to stand together against terrorism and violent extremism.
It noted that he expressed concern over attacks on Christian communities in Northern Nigeria, pointing out that the Redeemed Christian Church of God has more than 8,000 churches across the region.
CANAN further recalled Adeboye’s reflection on a time when Christians, Muslims and adherents of traditional religions lived peacefully together and freely practised their faith, saying he described the current wave of religious violence and intolerance as a departure from those ideals.
The association said it would continue to advocate justice, religious freedom, national unity and the protection of every Nigerian, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
“For the sake of the innocent victims, the displaced, and future generations, we will not keep silent. We will continue to work with governments, faith leaders, civil society organisations, and international partners to promote peace, defend human dignity, and support communities affected by terrorism,” the association said.
Nothing outside external intervention free from direct and indirect government influences, will assuage the feelings of Adeniyi Adeyemi, controversial Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), in his current ordeal with the Federal Government
He wants President Bola Tinubu to constitute an independent, multi-stakeholder investigative panel to probe the controversy surrounding the council and the alleged N1.3 billion budget allocation.
Adeyemi, who made the request through an open letter to the President is emphatic that the current efforts by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the PFIPC scandal, would yield little positive result.
Maintaining that he did not believe the agency would come up with the true picture of what transpired, in the saga, which has seized the national space in the last three weeks, Adeyemi, said impartiality under the current framework of ICPC was almost zero.
In the letter copied to both Nigerian and global institutions, he wrote: “I commend your recent directive tasking the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) with investigating the circumstances surrounding the PFIPC Scandal and ₦1.3 billion allocation inserted into the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
“This directive is a vital first step, but the structural realities of this investigation compel me to speak out of a profound desire for absolute transparency.
“Under the current framework, obtaining a truly impartial hearing presents severe structural challenges. The public narrative emanating from official channels remains heavily weighted toward my immediate arrest, effectively overshadowing the gravity of the systemic vulnerabilities and high-level involvement I have brought to light. True accountability cannot be achieved when the agency conducting the investigation answers directly to the branch of government within which the core allegations lie.
“Furthermore, I must state clearly that walking freely into custody under the current arrangement poses an immediate, existential threat to my life. I have received verified, highly reliable intelligence indicating that I am targeted for elimination the moment I surface in an unmonitored environment.
“This is not an unfounded fear. My concerns are deeply validated by the highly alarming events surrounding Mr. Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola, a central intermediary in this matter.
Official reports claim Mr. Tanimola tragically died in a sudden fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Utako, Abuja. Yet, there remains a total absence of independent eyewitness or media verification of any such inferno.
“More disturbingly, under highly unclear circumstances and without the official involvement of any federal capital regulatory agency, the entire Kachi Hotel structure was swiftly invaded by unidentified armed actors and manually demolished down to the rubble days later — effectively erasing a vital physical crime scene and erasing material evidence.
“Following this calculated destruction of a key locus of this investigation, alongside multiple direct attempts on my life and the safety of my family, I am forced to communicate from a secure, undisclosed location.
“If this investigation is to command the absolute trust of the Nigerian public and the international community, it must transcend standard bureaucratic boundaries. Therefore, I respectfully urge Your Excellency to expand the scope of this inquiry by establishing an independent, multi-stakeholder investigative panel.
“To guarantee complete neutrality, this panel should comprise:
- Civil Society Organisations: Specifically Amnesty International, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and other transparency Organisations.
- The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA): To guarantee strict adherence to constitutional due process.
- Independent Media Representatives: Selected members from reputable print and broadcast institutions to ensure unfettered, transparent access to documentation.
- International Financial Observers: Representatives from the World Bank and the IMF, given that the funds in question tie directly to multilateral credit frameworks.
- Human Rights Observers: Amnesty International, to monitor compliance with international safety and legal standards.
- Diplomatic Observers: Representatives from the United Nations, United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, ECOWAS and the African Union.
- Statutory Enforcement: The ICPC and EFCC, serving as technical partners within this broader, independent coalition.
“The moment this independent, multi-stakeholder panel is constituted, I will immediately step forward to present comprehensive documentation and verifiable evidences. A system cannot credibly investigate itself when its own key actors are central to the discourse.
“By broadening this panel, you will demonstrate to the world that your administration’s commitment to anti-corruption is absolute, institutional, and above palace politics. The international community is closely watching how Nigeria handles this test of fiscal integrity and governance.
“I remain fully prepared to present the facts and cooperate entirely with a balanced, secure and independent panel.”
All is now set for the wholesome debate on President Bola Tinubu’s proposal for the creation of state police, with members of the House of Representatives, abandoning their own version of the pitch in favour of that of the executive.
The development, which was part of Tuesday’s plenary, saw the members began an accelerated hearing on the version of the legislation submitted by the President recently, leading to its speedily racing through the first and second readings to rest at the committee stage.
After the Green Chambers adopted the presidential version, effectively suspending the House’s earlier proposal, and attention shifted to the Executive-backed amendment, the document was transported to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further legislative action.
The Executive bill is expected to undergo detailed scrutiny at the committee stage, where lawmakers will examine its key provisions before it is returned to the floor for further consideration.
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