Kenneth Okonkwo, former spokesperson for the Labour Party presidential campaign council, says the “Obi or nothing” slogan embraced by some supporters of Peter Obi contradicts Igbo cultural values.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Okonkwo described the slogan as an “abomination” in Igbo culture.
“Have you not heard of the slogan, Obi or nothing?” he asked.
“First of all, that slogan is an abomination culturally in Igbo land.”
According to him, the Igbo philosophy of Somadina promotes collective progress rather than individual political success.
“In Igbo land, there is something we call Somadina,” he said.
“Somadina means that I will not be the only person that will thrive. I will not be the only person that will succeed.”
Okonkwo also criticised Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso over their exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
“They came into the coalition on their own,” he said.
“And on their own, without any reason, they left for NDC.”
The former Labour Party chieftain described the duo as “political con men”, accusing them of abandoning the coalition arrangement after previously presenting it as the only path to defeating the ruling party in 2027.
Okonkwo further criticised Obi over his political relationship with Atiku Abubakar.
He recalled that Obi served as Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election and accused him of later distancing himself politically from the former vice-president.
“Obi was the chief spokesperson, the master strategist, the campaign officer for the south for Atiku Abubakar,” he said.
The lawyer also said he became disillusioned with Obi after the 2023 presidential election because, according to him, the former Anambra governor failed to make enough sacrifices to reclaim what he believed was a stolen mandate.
“I campaigned and I believe we won that election,” he said.
“After winning the election, what happened? He could not secure his own victory.”
