A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has berated actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo for criticising the choice of former Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the running mate to the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Eze, in a statement on Tuesday, said he was not surprised by the “misguided and unfortunate trash” credited to Kenneth Okonkwo that he would no longer support Atiku because of his choice of Amaechi as his vice-presidential candidate.

Okonkwo’s decision was reportedly informed by an official statement from the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, confirming that Atiku had picked Amaechi as his vice-presidential running mate.

Reacting to the development, Okonkwo had stated that any arrangement excluding the South-East from the top two executive positions in 2027 perpetuates what he described as an unpardonable injustice against the Igbo people.

However, Eze, erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and a close ally of Atiku and Amaechi, said Okonkwo was so “confused and overzealous that he thinks politics is the same as acting a script in the Nollywood industry.”

“The fact remains that it is not the choice of Amaechi as Atiku’s vice president that made Barr. Okonkwo launch an unsurprising attack on Atiku. He is an emerging betrayer, a man who speaks from both sides of his mouth.

“The heat is on Okonkwo because of his disparaging attack on the person and personality of Peter Obi, whom he once idolised as the best political leader in Nigeria. He is afraid of the N5 billion defamation suit slammed on him by Obi,” the ADC stalwart said.

Eze submitted that, having taken Peter Obi “to the cleaners” and resigned from Atiku’s camp, Okonkwo had decided to abruptly retire from politics and had dug his political grave.

“The truth is that Kenneth Okonkwo is an aimless, toothless, rabies-infested ‘Ekeuke’ (local breed) dog on the loose. He is a greenhorn, erratic and myopic about the dynamics of Nigeria’s politics,” Eze said, insisting that Atiku does not need him to become the next President of Nigeria.

“Okonkwo is a lily-livered rolling stone, an emerging traitor without electoral value,” Eze stated, adding that “Amaechi is Igbo, and his choice by Atiku as a running mate is the best option for the ADC and Nigeria.”

Eze explained that apart from the fact that Amaechi is from a section of the South-South very close to the Igbo, he is married to a woman from the South-East, Dame Judith Amaechi.

“According to our Igbo customs, having married an Igbo woman, Amaechi is automatically a wonderful son of the South-East,” the ADC chieftain said.

He argued that Okonkwo’s attempt to cast aspersions on Atiku’s relationship with the South-East does not hold water because, from the beginning of Atiku’s presidential aspirations, his vice-presidential candidates have always been Igbo.

“Senator Ben Obi under the Action Congress, Peter Obi and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa under the PDP are all Igbo. Now, so is Chibuike Amaechi. Therefore, Okonkwo’s argument lacks moral rectitude and falls short of logical reasoning.

“Besides, Amaechi’s credentials at the moment stand out among those of all South-South and South-East politicians. So, his choice is the best strategy to win the 2027 general elections for the ADC and Nigeria,” Eze insisted.

Eze hailed both Atiku and Amaechi for joining forces to rescue Nigeria at this period, insisting that with the two “refined, tested and trusted democrats,” Aso Rock is within reach.

Recall that Kenneth Okonkwo recently withdrew his support for the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, citing the continued marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone.

The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on party members, supporters, and candidates on the platform of the party not to despair over the judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which purportedly ordered the deregistration of the ADC and some other political parties.

This was disclosed by Kola Ologbondiyan, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

Senator David Mark, in a swift reaction while receiving a delegation of the party’s candidates who paid him a visit in Abuja on Monday, described the judgment as “an arrow fired at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy,” assuring party faithful that the decision would be overturned by superior courts.

He recalled that the Court of Appeal had earlier ordered a stay of proceedings in the matter and adjourned further hearing to October 27, 2027.

He therefore questioned how a judgment could validly be delivered while the subsisting order of the appellate court remained in force.

“The judgment cannot stand. It will be set aside because it does not pass the test of law and due process. Our democracy must be protected from actions that seek to undermine the constitutional rights of political parties and the choices available to Nigerians,” he stated.

He urged ADC candidates and supporters across the country to remain calm, focused, and committed to the party’s mission, stressing that there was no cause for alarm.

“The ADC will be on the ballot in 2027. I assure all our candidates, members, and supporters that this temporary setback will be overcome through the judicial process. We remain resolute and confident in the rule of law,” he added.

Senator Mark further reaffirmed the party’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for the Saturday, June 20, 2026, governorship election in Ekiti State, Dr Wole Oluyede, has symbolically shown the state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is seeking re-election, a “red card,” declaring that the governor would be voted out of office at the polls.

Oluyede made the declaration during the PDP’s grand finale governorship campaign rally held in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, where he expressed confidence in his chances of defeating the incumbent governor at the polls.

“I have given Oyebanji a red card today. In football, a red card means dismissal. Consequently, I have expelled him from the Government House and secured freedom for the people of Ekiti,” Oluyede said.

The PDP candidate maintained that he would emerge victorious in the election, insisting that many Ekiti residents were dissatisfied with the current administration.

“The people of Ekiti, whom I believe have been impoverished under the present administration, are ready to support me and vote for change. The June 20 election is not just about the PDP; it is about all Ekiti people who desire a better future,” he said.

Oluyede described the election as a “freedom fight” and urged eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process and also protect their votes.

“Your vote is your power. Do not allow anyone to intimidate you. Arrive at your polling units early and ensure that the ballot boxes are empty before voting begins. After casting your votes, remain at the polling units and monitor the process until the votes are counted and recorded,” he said.

He encouraged voters to follow the electoral process through to the collation stage and expressed confidence that security agencies would provide adequate protection throughout the exercise.

Oluyede also advised voters not to sell their votes, stressing that the future of the state depended on the choices they would make in the election.

Oluyede questioned the impact of the federal allocations received by the Ekiti State Government in the last three and a half years under the current administration of Oyebanji.

According to him, the state deserves better infrastructure and development outcomes, considering the level of resources available to the government.

He urged residents to make informed decisions during the election and vote massively for the PDP for a better future for Ekiti State.

“If anyone offers you money, that is your personal decision. However, vote for the PDP by thumb-printing the Umbrella symbol on the ballot paper if you desire a better future for Ekiti State.

“Do not be deceived by fake news and propaganda. That is their stock-in-trade. Many stories and allegations may surface before election day, but you should ignore them. They have failed the people. God has made me the David who will defeat and humble their Goliath,” Oluyede added.