Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra Central, says Kenneth Okonkwo fell out with Peter Obi because the former Anambra governor refused to engage in transactional politics.
Umeh spoke during an interview with Synfoni Media while reacting to recent criticisms of Obi by Okonkwo.
“The other day I saw Kenneth Okonkwo on television running abuses on Peter Obi, I told him, ’ Don’t do this thing you are doing because you’ll regret it,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, Okonkwo was unhappy because Obi would not release money for political activities.
“He said no way that he will not work with Peter Obi again over his dead body,” Umeh said.
“How can somebody like this be there? You have things to do, you will not give him money to do them.”
Umeh said Obi’s popularity has remained strong despite his refusal to distribute money to political supporters.
“People know him that he’s committed to doing the right thing,” he said.
“He would spend money wisely and justly.”
The senator said Obi has consistently rejected transactional politics and would never bribe delegates to secure political positions.
“Obi has consistently said on television that he will never be part of transactional politics,” he said.
“He said he will never use money to buy a position to serve the people.”
Umeh added that Obi’s financial discipline was evident during his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
According to him, Obi left office with substantial savings and investments for the state.
“He served for eight years and on exit, he handed over N75 billion cash and investments,” Umeh said.
“He had 150 million dollars investment in Diamond Bank because he believes in saving.”
The lawmaker said Obi’s approach to governance explains why he opposes excessive borrowing by the federal government.
He also defended Obi’s decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claiming the party’s environment was inconsistent with Obi’s principles.
“If Obi had remained to go into that mad chase of the ticket with dollars and the rest of them, he would be missing his principle,” he said.
