ADC Accused of Perpetuating Injustice Against the South East; Kenneth Okonkwo Reverses His Stance

Actor‑turned‑politician Kenneth Okonkwo voiced disappointment after learning that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had chosen a 2027 vice‑presidential candidate from the South‑South region, cautioning that the decision could deepen marginalisation of the South‑East.

In a statement shared on his social‑media accounts, Okonkwo noted that the South‑East is the sole geopolitical zone that has not produced a President or Vice President since 1999, and he said that excluding the region from the vice‑presidential position would continue to perpetuate injustice toward its citizens.

These concerns surfaced after the ADC announced that former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi would serve as its vice‑presidential candidate in the 2027 election, running alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The party released the information in a statement from its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in Abuja, after consulting party stakeholders, coalition partners and national representatives.

“The ADC was founded by Ralph Nwosu from the South‑East in 2005. He made the sacrifice to give up the party in 2025 for the coalition to usher in a better Nigeria. He couldn’t have made that sacrifice to marginalise his own people,” Okonkwo said.

He added that after stepping down from the party’s national chairmanship and its presidential bid, it would be unjust to exclude the South‑East from the vice‑presidential position.

Okonkwo revealed that his sole request to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—who he said had publicly pledged to back a future South‑East president—was to show that commitment by selecting a running mate from the region.

“I joined politics to fight for a better Nigeria where no region, geo‑political zone, or person will be marginalised,” he stated.

The former Labour Party leader said that if the reports of a South‑South vice‑presidential nominee are confirmed, he would be reluctant to support a presidential ticket lacking a South‑East candidate in either the presidential or vice‑presidential slot.

“I wish him well. I am not favourably disposed to campaigning for any presidential ticket that does not have a person of South‑East origin as President or Vice President in 2027,” he said.