February 11, (THEWILL) – Veteran Nollywood actor and lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, has officially resigned from the Labour Party, citing internal leadership crises as his reason for leaving.
Okonkwo, who served as the spokesman for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council, announced his resignation on Tuesday via his X handle.
He stated that his decision takes effect from February 25, 2025, marking the second anniversary of the 2023 presidential election.
The actor, who had initially hinted at his departure in July 2024, lamented that the party’s leadership structure at all levels had expired, making it non-functional.
“In the Labour Party Constitution, the tenure of the ward, local government, and state executives is three years (See Article 15(2)(3)(4)). Having conducted no congresses within the constitutionally allowed tenure, their mandates have effectively expired,” he said.
He also faulted the former National Chairman, Julius Abure, and his National Working Committee, accusing them of failing to hold a legally recognized national convention, as required by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
According to Okonkwo, the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee, which was constituted by the Labour Party’s National Executive Council to conduct congresses and a convention, was the only viable path to salvaging the party.
However, he alleged that Abure and his allies, with the backing of external forces, frustrated the efforts of the caretaker committee through legal battles, making it impossible for it to function.
“If Abure was truly interested in producing a southern candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, he would have relinquished the position of National Chairman to the North,” he added.
Describing the Labour Party as non-existent in its current form, Okonkwo said he was left with no choice but to exit the party.
“To all Nigerians of goodwill who supported us when we needed them most, I pledge my continued loyalty to the people in all my future political decisions,” he stated.
The actor and politician hinted at joining like-minded Nigerians in shaping a new political path for the country.
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