Peter Obi’s Exit Left South-East Disadvantaged in ADC VP Selection, Says Okonkwo
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has said Peter Obi’s departure from the party before the conclusion of its presidential primary process left the South-East at a disadvantage and contributed to the circumstances that led to the emergence of Rotimi Amaechi as the party’s vice presidential candidate.
Okonkwo made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief while responding to questions about Amaechi’s vice presidential nomination and his own earlier comments regarding the party’s choice of running mate.
He explained that a South-East representative had initially been part of the presidential race but withdrew before the process was concluded, creating uncertainty over the region’s place in the party’s political calculations.
According to him, Obi’s exit effectively left the position expected to go to the South-East vacant.
Okonkwo said the party could not consider individuals such as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala because the Electoral Act requires a running mate to have been a member of the political party for at least 21 days before the primary election.
He noted that Atiku Abubakar eventually settled for what he described as “the nearest person” to the South-East under the circumstances.
Addressing claims that he had opposed Amaechi’s nomination, Okonkwo said he neither mentioned the former Rivers State governor by name nor objected to his emergence. He added that Amaechi is of Igbo ethnicity and stressed that his earlier concerns were centred on geopolitical balance, arguing that the South-East has not produced either a president or vice president since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
Okonkwo said he accepted the party’s explanation for the decision and disclosed that internal consultations were continuing to resolve any remaining concerns among party members.
He expressed confidence in the party’s prospects, stating that the ADC is united and optimistic about winning the next general election, while projecting that Atiku Abubakar would emerge as Nigeria’s next president.
