A prominent figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, of steering clear of competitive primary elections.
Speaking during an appearance on ARISE News on Wednesday, Okonkwo argued that Obi’s political moves are largely influenced by an unwillingness to subject himself to open internal contests.
He dismissed claims that Obi exited the ADC over ideological disagreements or internal party issues, insisting instead that the former Anambra State governor sought to avoid primary elections.
“Peter Obi is afraid of free and fair primary elections. He gave reasons of challenges, but his main reason is that he does not want to face the primary election,” he said.
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Okonkwo further claimed that Obi has a pattern of emerging through political arrangements rather than participating in direct party primaries.
To support his position, he referenced Obi’s rise to power under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), alleging that Obi did not originally win the party’s primary contest but later emerged after the result was overturned.
“He has never been in one, and he will not be in one until he finishes his political career,” Okonkwo stated.