Kenneth Okonkwo Declines Atiku‑Amaechi Ticket, Blames South‑East Marginalization

By Enitan Abdultawab

Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has withdrawn his endorsement of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar after former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi was selected as the vice‑presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 election.

He made the announcement in a statement posted on his X account on Monday, soon after reports confirmed Amaechi’s selection as Atiku’s running mate.

The former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman expressed disappointment at what he called the ongoing exclusion of the South‑East from Nigeria’s highest political offices.

“I heard from the social media that ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South‑South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South‑East,” he wrote.

Okonkwo said the region has been sidelined in Nigeria’s power‑