Kenneth Okonkwo Blasts APC Defectors: “Palmwine Politicians and Professional Criminals”
In a fiery political broadside that has sent ripples across Nigeria’s political landscape, Kenneth Okonkwo former Labour Party Presidential Campaign spokesperson has launched a searing attack on politicians defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), branding them as a “subset of professional criminals” and mocking their loyalty as unstable as the taste of unrefrigerated palm wine.
Appearing on ARISE News, the outspoken Nollywood star-turned-political advocate didn’t hold back as he dismantled what he called the “theatre of absurdity” that played out during a recent APC defection rally in Delta State.
“On that podium, you saw men convicted by the Supreme Court for bribery and corruption in dollars,” Okonkwo said. “Their surnames have been reduced to dollar. And yet, they gather in the name of integrity.”
“Palmwine Politicians with Rotten Motives”
In a savage metaphor, Okonkwo compared the moral fiber of many APC politicians to the fluctuating taste of palm wine that hasn’t been refrigerated.
“That palm wine can change taste 20 times in one day. That’s exactly how unstable these politicians are — switching parties, ideologies, and loyalties like clothes,” he said, calling them “Palmwine politicians” whose only consistent belief is self-interest.
Okonkwo’s remarks come at a time when defections into the ruling APC have been seen as a political survival tactic rather than a matter of principle, raising concerns over the decay of ideology and integrity in Nigerian politics.
“APC Is a Criminal Camp Masquerading as Government”
The former campaign spokesman wasn’t done. In one of the most blistering statements of the interview, Okonkwo described the APC not as a political party but as a “subset of professional criminals made up of suspects, accused, and convicts.”
This, he argued, is a clear reflection of how deeply corruption has metastasized into Nigeria’s political bloodstream where conviction becomes qualification and public office a shield against justice.
Call for a United Opposition in 2027
Shifting from critique to strategy, Okonkwo emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria’s fragmented opposition to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections. He admitted that the failure of opposition parties to form a united front in 2023 paved the way for a party with just 37% of the vote to claim the presidency.
“2027 will be the people versus the government,” he declared. “Our greatest teacher must be our last mistake. The opposition must learn that divided we fall.”
Okonkwo called for a coalition built on “integrity, character, learning, and knowledge” a far cry from the desperate alliances of convenience that have characterized past elections.
Open Primaries, Not Secret Pacts
Reacting to rumours of a one-term power-sharing arrangement between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, Okonkwo urged transparency over backdoor deals.
“Let there be free and fair primaries. No one should be pressured to step down. If you believe you can lead, face the people and earn it.”
Labour Party’s Identity Crisis
Despite his loyalty to Labour’s core values of justice, transparency, and social equity, Okonkwo admitted that the influx of opportunistic politicians before the 2023 elections diluted the party’s ideological purity.
Still, he believes the party or a new coalition can be recalibrated to represent the will of the people, provided it embraces discipline, integrity, and bold reform.
Where Does He Stand Now?
Though Okonkwo has not declared allegiance to any party since stepping back from LP, he confirmed that he is actively involved in coalition talks.
“I don’t jump blindly. When I leave a party, I negotiate based on which platform genuinely prioritizes the welfare and security of Nigerians.”
He ended with a hopeful reminder that change, though delayed, is still possible:
“We may not go back to change the beginning. But we can start from where we are and change the ending.”
Editorial Note: Kenneth Okonkwo’s critique is not just a celebrity’s rant it’s a warning. As Nigeria stumbles toward another election cycle, voters must ask: Are we being governed by leaders or looters? By visionaries or vagabonds? The answer may well define the next decade.
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Kenneth Okonkwo Blasts APC Defectors: “Palmwine Politicians and Professional Criminals”