Former Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over reports that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket may pick its vice-presidential candidate from the South-South region.

In a post on X on Monday, Okonkwo described the reported decision as “unfortunate” and warned that it would amount to the continued marginalisation of the South-East, which he noted has neither produced a president nor vice president since 1999.

He argued that denying the South-East the opportunity to produce either the presidential or vice-presidential candidate of the ADC in the 2027 election would amount to an “unpardonable injustice.”

Okonkwo also referenced the role of former ADC National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, saying the party founder made significant sacrifices by relinquishing control of the party to facilitate the coalition aimed at producing a better Nigeria.

“I heard from social media that the ADC has picked its vice presidential candidate from the South-South. If this is true, it is unfortunate, as this will continue the crude marginalisation of the South-East.

“I did not join the coalition to assist in the further marginalisation of my own people. I am of the opinion that if we made a sacrifice to give up the National Chairman and the President, it would amount to unpardonable injustice to deny us the Vice President in 2027,” Okonkwo wrote.

The actor-turned-politician stated that the only request he made to Atiku, whom he said had previously presented himself as a pathway to a South-East presidency, was to demonstrate that commitment by selecting a running mate from the region.

Okonkwo said that if reports of a South-South vice-presidential nominee are confirmed, he would not be willing to campaign for the presidential ticket in 2027.

He maintained that he entered politics to fight for a Nigeria where no region or group is marginalised and insisted that the South-East deserves representation on the presidential ticket.

The African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the Federal High Court ruling that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and four other political parties.

Sowore said this on Monday in a statement posted on his verified X handle.

According to him, the judgment was undemocratic and inconsistent with the principles of a multi-party system.

He equally stated that it was unacceptable for parties to be deregistered when they had already concluded their primaries and were preparing for future elections.

“It shall not stand. I totally condemn the deregistration of political parties that have already concluded their primaries and are preparing for general elections. Such an action is undemocratic and unjustifiable in a multi-party democracy,” he wrote.

DAILY POST recalls that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately deregister the ADC, Accord Party and others from participating in the 2027 general elections.

The camp of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the Federal High Court judgment ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to deregister the party.

In a statement posted on X, Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, described the ruling as a manifestation of a bid to entrench a one-party state.

Ibe revealed that a pending appeal and an active stay-of-action order already exist to counter the High Court’s decision.

Recall that Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately deregister the ADC, Accord Party and others from participating in the 2027 general elections over alleged constitutional breaches.

Reacting to the development, Atiku’s aide labelled it the height of judicial rascality and a desperate attempt by the ruling party to undermine the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to Ibe, the High Court ruling directly violates a subsisting order from a higher court, explaining that the Court of Appeal had already intervened to halt the proceedings.

He said, “The so-called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress along with other parties by Justice Peter Lifu may yet be the biggest manifestation of Tinubu’s hell-bent bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a de facto one-party state. The judgment is the height of judicial rascality.

“The Court of Appeal presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko, Oyejoju O. Oyewumi had in Appeal CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 ordered Justice Peter Lifu to stay further action on the matter until the hearing and determination of the Appeal before it. The hearing for the appeal was scheduled for the 27th of October 2026.

“That order was dated 22nd of May 2026. Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation of the ruling party to either have their way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was purchased at a huge cost.”