Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed ADC chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo as his spokesperson.
Okonkwo announced the appointment in a post on his verified X handle on Thursday morning.
While thanking Atiku for the confidence reposed in him, Okonkwo said the gesture reflects the level of Atiku’s democratic credentials.
“Rather than pick offence against any of his associates for expressing genuine reservations about any action taken, HE AA always opts for dialogue and compromise that will engender solution to problems,” Okonkwo stated.
A screengrab of the appointment letter uploaded on X by Okonkwo, however, did not show any date.
In the letter titled “Offer of appointment as my spokesperson,” Atiku said the appointment reflects the confidence he reposes in Okonkwo’s competence, public communication skills, integrity, political judgment, and ability to represent his public positions in a professional and responsible manner.
The former vice president specified that the appointment was for Okonkwo to serve as his spokesperson for the 2027 general elections following his emergence as the ADC presidential candidate.
“This appointment reflects the confidence I repose in your competence, public communication skills, integrity, political judgment, and ability to represent my public positions in a professional and responsible manner,” Atiku stated in the letter.
He also informed Okonkwo that the appointment was subject to the terms and conditions contained in the letter and other applicable campaign, party, legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements.
Okonkwo’s appointment came weeks after he criticised Atiku and the ADC for selecting Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
He contended that a South-easterner should have been given the ADC’s vice-presidential position, emphasizing that Mr Amaechi’s selection amounted to “crude marginalisation of the South-east.”
He then threatened to withdraw his support for Atiku and the ADC if Atiku allowed Mr Amaechi to remain as his running partner.
Okonkwo’s appointment comes amid a legal battle between him and the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
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Pinnacle Daily reports that Obi recently filed a suit against Okonkwo over alleged defamatory remarks.
In the suit filed on 25 June at a state high court in Anambra State, Obi is demanding that N8 billion be awarded against Okonkwo as damages.
Okonkwo, who had worked with Obi during the 2023 general election when Obi contested for president under the Labour Party, alleged that the former Anambra State governor and the South-east caucus of the NDC demanded a N10 million bribe from House of Representatives aspirants in the party to secure their tickets.
Speaking in a Channels Television programme, Okonkwo specifically claimed that a House of Representatives aspirant in the NDC from Anambra State, Obunike Ohaegbu, sent him a message and a receipt alleging that Mr Obi scammed him of a N10 million bribe.
Meanwhile, Ohaegbu has denied making the statements, saying he never accused the NDC South-east caucus of bribery.
Obi, through his lawyers, demanded a retraction of the allegation and an apology. He proceeded to file the suit after Okonkwo refused to withdraw the remark.
