‘They Lured Obi Away’ — Kenneth Okonkwo Says Peter Obi Is Trapped In NDC.

 

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has claimed that Peter Obi was lured away from the party and has now found himself “trapped” in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Okonkwo made the claim during an interview with Channels Television on Thursday, September 3, while discussing the opposition’s plans ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The lawyer and actor described Atiku as the leader of the opposition, explaining that the former vice president’s decision to challenge President Bola Tinubu to a presidential debate was based on that position.

“Atiku challenged Tinubu to a debate officially because he is the leader of the opposition,” Okonkwo said.

He further claimed that the NDC became involved in the opposition’s political arrangements through a court process, describing it as a political association rather than a recognised political party under the judgment being appealed.

“NDC came into opposition on December 10 through a court order. Legally speaking, it’s a political association and not a party, according to the judgment of the court, and they are now appealing,” he said.

Okonkwo said the opposition coalition had agreed to adopt the ADC as its platform on July 2, 2026, with Obi among those involved in the arrangement before he moved to the NDC.

“The opposition came together to form a coalition, and they chose the ADC on July 2, 2026, and all of us were there, including Peter Obi,” he said.

He alleged that Obi was subsequently persuaded to leave the ADC for the NDC, which he described as a trap.

“Obi left for the NDC, where he has now entered a trap because they used the NDC to lure him away,” Okonkwo claimed.

He also maintained that opposition politicians had collectively settled on Atiku as their preferred presidential candidate.

“I can tell you that all the opposition candidates have come together and chosen Atiku Abubakar,” he said.

The claims come amid ongoing realignments among opposition politicians and parties ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with competing alliances seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).