Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has officially resigned from the Labour Party (LP), citing internal leadership struggles and structural failures within the party. Okonkwo announced his decision in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on February 11, stating that the party is “non-existent as presently constituted.”
The lawyer and political figure pointed out that the tenure of ward, local government, and state executives, as outlined in the Labour Party’s constitution, has expired. He noted that no congresses have been held to renew leadership at these levels, effectively leaving the party without legitimate grassroots structures.
Okonkwo also addressed the crisis at the national level, referencing the legal and administrative battle over the party’s leadership. He explained that former National Chairman Julius Abure and his National Working Committee (NWC) failed to organize a national convention recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Meanwhile, the Senator Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee—set up by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) to address these issues—has been hindered by legal battles.
He further alleged that “political jobbers,” both within and outside the party, have obstructed necessary reforms. Okonkwo also criticized Abure’s grip on the party’s leadership, suggesting that if he were genuinely interested in positioning a southern candidate against President Bola Tinubu in 2027, he would step down for a northern chairman to balance the party’s leadership.
With his resignation, Okonkwo becomes the latest high-profile figure to exit the Labour Party, raising further concerns about its stability ahead of the next election cycle.
