A resurfaced video featuring Nollywood actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, where he strongly criticizes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has reignited discussions on Nigeria’s evolving political landscape as the 2027 general election approaches.
This viral clip, which recently gained traction on social media, originates from an interview conducted on October 28, 2022, on Channels Television’s Politics Today. At the time, Okonkwo was serving as a spokesperson for the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign. During the session with host Seun Okinbaloye, Okonkwo delivered a sharp critique of Atiku, the then-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Okonkwo addressed Atiku’s contentious remarks made at the Arewa Town Hall Policy Dialogue in Kaduna, accusing him of making divisive statements that threatened Nigeria’s unity. He asserted that “Atiku has failed” and claimed that the former vice president was jeopardizing Nigeria’s democracy.
Okonkwo urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate Atiku under the Electoral Act for what he termed ethnic profiling, stating that Atiku was “unfit” and “a threat to our democracy.” The revival of this interview has sparked broad reactions due to Okonkwo’s current political stance.
In July 2026, he assumed the role of spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential campaign with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), lauding Atiku as a leader who acknowledged his talents and had the vision to lead Nigeria.
After the old video circulated again, Okonkwo initially dismissed it as “fake news,” but various media sources confirmed it stemmed from his October 2022 appearance, where he voiced support for Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi during the 2023 election campaign.
This rekindled controversy has prompted new discussions about the changing nature of Nigerian politics, with debates arising over whether politicians should be evaluated based on their past remarks or their present political alignments. Political analysts suggest that this incident highlights how coalitions can undergo significant changes as the country gears up for another highly competitive presidential election.
