Nollywood actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has accepted an appointment as spokesperson to the Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, weeks after publicly withdrawing his support for the former Vice President over the choice of Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.
Okonkwo announced his new role in a statement on Thursday July 1, expressing gratitude to Atiku for the confidence reposed in him and describing the appointment as evidence of the ADC Presidential candidate’s willingness to embrace dialogue instead of taking offence at differing opinions.
“I give God all the glory to be appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his Spokesperson. I thank HE AA for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he wrote.
The appointment marks a dramatic turnaround from Okonkwo’s earlier stance. Following the ADC’s unveiling of Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate, the former Labour Party Presidential campaign spokesperson had announced that he could not support a Presidential ticket that excluded the South-East from both the Presidential and Vice-Presidential positions.
At the time, Okonkwo described the decision as an “unpardonable injustice” against the South-East, arguing that the region had not produced either a President or Vice President since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.
He had also recalled that Atiku once described himself as the “pathway to the Presidency of the South-East,” insisting that his only request was for the former Vice President to choose a running mate from the region.
“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 in 2027,” he had declared.
However, announcing his acceptance of the new role, Okonkwo revealed that discussions with Atiku and other leaders of the ADC had addressed his concerns.
According to him, the interests of the South-East had been discussed and guaranteed within the realities of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the political circumstances surrounding the coalition.
“This appointment speaks volume of the democratic credentials of HE AA. Rather than pick offence against any of his associates for expressing genuine reservations of any action taken, HE AA always opts for dialogue and compromise that will engender solution to problems.
“At a dialogue with HE AA and other well-meaning members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the interests of the South-East have been discussed and guaranteed within the existing challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026, and the realities on the ground,” he stated.
Okonkwo also thanked several key figures for their roles in resolving the matter, including former ADC National Chairman Ralphs Nwosu, whom he praised for his sacrifices in strengthening the Party, as well as Dr. Kashim Imam and Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Ekene Onwuka.
He equally appreciated his family, supporters and friends for standing by him, praying for wisdom and strength to discharge his new responsibilities.
The appointment is expected to strengthen Atiku’s media team as the ADC intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election, while also signalling that the Party may have succeeded in resolving one of the early disagreements that emerged after its Presidential ticket was unveiled.