African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has named actor turned politician Kenneth Okonkwo as his spokesperson for the 2027 campaign, an appointment that comes just weeks after Okonkwo publicly criticised the choice of Rotimi Amaechi as running mate, arguing that picking someone from the South South again denied the South East a path to the presidency it has been shut out of since 1999.
Announcing the appointment on social media, Okonkwo framed it as evidence of Atiku’s democratic instincts, saying that rather than take offence at genuine reservations expressed by an associate, Atiku consistently opts for dialogue and compromise. He said a subsequent conversation with Atiku and other party members addressed the South East’s concerns as far as possible within the constraints of the Electoral Act 2026 and the realities on the ground, and thanked Kashim Imam for his intervention and counsel, saying it showed there is a place in the party’s emerging political coalition for Nigerians regardless of origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, age or cultural background. He also credited Ralphs Nwosu’s sacrifices in strengthening the ADC and Ekene Onwuka’s work assembling a strong campaign team, before thanking his family, friends and supporters and asking for continued prayers for the wisdom, courage, provision and protection he said the role demands.
