An old 2023 TV interview has resurfaced online, triggering a strong reaction on social media. The video shows actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo making a major political U-turn after being named spokesperson for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Internet users were quick to point out the glaring contradiction between Okonkwo’s present role under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) banner and his previous public stance.
The controversy comes just weeks after Okonkwo publicly accepted the job, taking to his official X account to express gratitude to God and thank Atiku for placing “immense confidence” in him. Defending his principal, Okonkwo described the former vice-president as a leader who values dialogue and compromise over taking offence when colleagues raise genuine concerns.
However, archived footage from Channels Television tells a markedly different story. Speaking as a Labour Party campaign spokesperson at the time, Okonkwo launched a scathing attack against Atiku over allegations involving special purpose vehicles and consultancy fees. During the broadcast, Okonkwo claimed:
“Atiku has confessed that he used special purpose vehicles to create phoney companies for which he paid consultancy fees… Buhari is supposed to send him to jail.”
Addressing the Achimugu controversy during that same interview, Okonkwo argued that neither Atiku nor his party had taken legal action for libel or defamation, instead dismissing the accusations entirely. Highlighting Atiku’s response to a BBC query on the matter, Okonkwo noted:
“You know what he said? ‘We’ve passed over that.’ He offered no defence.”
The pairing follows a period of notable friction between both figures. Okonkwo had previously criticised the ADC’s decision to select former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate, contending that the decision continued the marginalisation of the South-East region from top executive governance since 1999.
Okonkwo later confirmed that concerns surrounding South-Eastern representation were addressed and resolved during high-level discussions with Atiku and senior ADC leaders, notwithstanding the challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026.