Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo - Politics

Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum › Nairaland General › Politics › Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo (8609 Views)

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Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Antoeni(op): 10:33pm On Jul 02

Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar recognised his value despite his past criticisms, while accusing his former principal and Nigeria Democratic Congress 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of betraying him.

Okonkwo, previously Obi’s ally and spokesperson in the Labour Party, spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.

He made the remarks a day after he was appointed spokesperson for Atiku, the African Democratic Congress’ 2027 presidential candidate.

The actor-turned-politician said he had publicly ended his relationship with Obi in 2024 after concluding that the former Anambra State governor lacked the decisiveness required to lead Nigeria.

“As a public affairs analyst that I have been from 2009 before I ever met Peter Obi, I proceeded with my job. You were one of the earliest interviewers that interviewed me in July 2024 when I said I wasn’t speaking for him anymore because he’s not decisive.

“I’ve seen in him certain qualities that make him unfit to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I made it public. By then, I had finished my job with him. But in order for the people to know that I am not speaking for him anymore, I made it public, and I went my own way, and I was doing my own job.

“He was the one who betrayed me,” Okonkwo said.

He contrasted Obi’s response with that of Atiku, saying the former vice president overlooked his criticisms because he believed he could contribute to nation-building.

“I talked about Atiku Abubakar here in this studio much more than I would even talk about Peter Obi. And people were telling Atiku Abubakar, ‘This young man that is getting close to you, are you aware of what he said to you?’

“Atiku Abubakar said, ‘I am looking at this young man, I am seeing the value in him, and his tenacity to bring about a great Nigeria. That is what I am seeing. And if I have the opportunity, I will bring him in to bring that value to Nigeria.'”

Okonkwo described Atiku as a leader with an eye for talent.

“Look at a man, a talent discoverer that discovered Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that discovered Professor Charles Soludo, that discovered El-Rufai.

“What Atiku Abubakar is looking at is not what you said about him because he knows that his desire for Nigeria is not about him, but what value are you bringing in? I had not even done anything for Atiku Abubakar, but he insisted, ‘I’ve seen something in this young man.'”

The remarks come amid an ongoing legal battle.

Okonkwo had publicly alleged that Obi and others collected bribes from House of Representatives aspirants.

In response, Obi, through his lawyers, demanded a retraction, public apology, and N5 billion in damages, describing the claims as false and damaging to his reputation.

When Okonkwo did not comply within the stipulated seven days, Obi filed a defamation suit at the Anambra State High Court in Onitsha in June 2026

The ADC chieftain also accused Obi of instituting the defamation suit against him after he left the party, describing the legal action as unnecessary.

“When I talked against him, he did not go to Adamawa, he did not go to Jada to bring frivolous suit against me. But this is somebody I worked for, did everything, stayed in the court for months.

“And I am free, doing my job, and you are running to Onitsha to bring frivolous defamation suit against himself, not me.

“Who is now the betrayer? Who is disloyal? Assuming without conceding, assuming without conceding, I even did something wrong. So, that is how he would have treated me?” he said.

Responding to a question on whether Obi was entitled to seek legal redress over the alleged defamatory comments, Okonkwo rejected the suggestion that he had defamed the former presidential candidate.

“‘Defaming’ is your word. Not mine. I sat down here, gave you the names of the people that told me things. I did not even say the way it is. I was still trying to shield…”

When the interviewer pointed out that some of the people he cited had denied making the claims, Okonkwo insisted he had documentary evidence.

“When you have something written down, you know what the court says? You know what the law says? Oral evidence cannot be adduced to contradict a written document. I have them with me. At the appropriate time, everybody will go and answer for his crimes, for his offenses, and for his denials.

“And so, there is no defamation at all. I told you that a lot of people have said worse things about him. You know what he said? ‘No, I don’t want to sue them, they are faceless.’

“So, your intention is to destroy people who have faces? Your intention is to destroy any Southeast person, a bright person rising from the Southeast? So other people that are faceless, you won’t go after them, but the people that are adding value, you want to go after them? Bring him on. Let him come.”

Okonkwo served as a spokesperson for Obi during the 2023 presidential campaign but parted ways in 2024.

They both left Labour Party and joined ADC before Obi defected from the coalition and joined NDC.

https://punchng.com/obi-betrayed-me-atiku-saw-value-in-me-says-kenneth-okonkwo/

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Antoeni(op): 10:38pm On Jul 02

Maybe Atiku Saw His Nuisance Value. His Greed, Deciet, Hypocrisy And Double Standard.

At Least His Accommodation Problem Has Finally Been Taken Care of

90 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by osuofia2(m): 10:41pm On Jul 02

Who else noticed that obidients aren't as violence online like 2023, they all seems quiet and humble

37 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Antoeni(op): 10:57pm On Jul 02

Is This Man Listening to Himself?? Someone Filed a Lawsuit Against You Legally Because of Things You Said About Him And You're Here Crying That He Wants to Bring Bright People From The South east Down.

Someone Needs to Be Used As Scapegoat For Others to Learn. If You Went Around Doing Your Business, No One Will Notice You But if Your Business is Dragging Other People's Effort to Mud. Then You'll Have to Answer For it.

80 Likes 1 Share

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Racoon(m): 11:05pm On Jul 02

Hehehe! Kenneth Okwonkwo so much glorified his idiocy like Reno Omokri, Daniel Bwala, Femi Fani-Kayode.

57 Likes

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Antoeni(op): 11:25pm On Jul 02

Now We Can See Sister Kenneth Okonkwo in Channels Television Please Mr. Peter Obi Lawyers Should Take Note So The Letter Can Be Proudly Be Delivered to Him There in Person, is Like Channels is His New Home Now

20 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by favor914: 11:26pm On Jul 02

Antoeni:
Is This Man Listening to Himself?? Someone Filed a Lawsuit Against You Legally Because of Things You Said About Him And You're Here Crying That He Wants to Bring Bright People From The South east Down.

Someone Needs to Be Used As Scapegoat For Others to Learn. If You Went Around Doing Your Business, No One Will Notice You But if Your Business is Dragging Other People's Effort to Mud. Then You'll Have to Answer For it.

osuofia2, the Agulu selfish minded, self centered messiah is a Judas.

Scapegoat indeed.

11 Likes 1 Share

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by yarimo(m): 12:10am On Jul 03

Obi even betrayed ojukwu that brought him to politics

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by yarimo(m): 12:11am On Jul 03

osuofia2:
Who else noticed that obidients aren't as violence online like 2023, they all seems quiet and humble

no mind them, first to call the police doesn't mean you must win the case. Operation fire for fire grin

20 Likes 1 Share

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by favour32(m): 3:17am On Jul 03

This lizard is here again.

Tinubu is a failure.

The facts are there.

18 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by fuckJones(f): 4:57am On Jul 03

Can you now tell us more about yes daddy's video?

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Authoreety: 7:02am On Jul 03*

This guy still don't want to lose himself from bondage....

Of what relevance is atiku in today's politics ?

Me just believe that atiku has just made up his mind to continue to seek election every four years till he can't do it no more since he already has excess funds to languish

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by CharlesCNG: 7:48am On Jul 03

osuofia2:
Who else noticed that obidients aren't as violence online like 2023, they all seems quiet and humble

Where Did the Fire Go? The Quiet Humbling of the Obidient Mob. by CharlesCNG

Someone asked a very interesting question: who else noticed that Obidients are no longer as violent online as they were in 2023?

The answer is simple: political reality has humbled noise.

In 2023, the Obidient movement was at its loudest. It had hashtags, influencers, Twitter spaces, online mobs, celebrity endorsements, moral superiority, and an army of digital warriors who insulted anyone who questioned Peter Obi.

Many people were not persuaded by them; they were harassed by them.

But 2023 came and went.

Peter Obi ran. Nobody stopped him. He came third. The movement that boasted of a landslide ended up in court. The same people who mocked structure discovered that elections are not won by trending topics.

Since then, the movement has been bleeding politically. Labour Party has been in crisis. Kenneth Okonkwo, once one of Obi’s loudest spokesmen, left Labour and parted ways with Obi, blaming leadership failure. Doyin Okupe, Obi’s former campaign DG, also left Labour and later said Tinubu was the best candidate among the 2023 contenders. Valentine Ozigbo, a known Obi ally in Anambra, left Labour for APC. Akin Osuntokun, another former Obi campaign DG, moved to ADC. These are not random foot soldiers; they were megaphones of the movement. Their exits tell a story.

The Obidient movement is quieter today because its illusion has been tested. The online thunder did not become national structure. The abuse did not become coalition. The hashtags did not become governorship machinery. The moral arrogance did not become 25 percent spread across Nigeria.

And now, many of them are beginning to understand that the damage is already done.

Their 2023 behaviour pushed away many people who might have listened to Obi. They insulted potential allies. They abused undecided voters. They attacked clerics, elders, journalists, opposition figures and even fellow Igbo politicians who did not worship their candidate. They mistook intimidation for persuasion.

That was self-sabotage.

Politics is not evangelism by insult. You cannot abuse people for four years and expect them to join your coalition in the fifth. You cannot call everybody corrupt, tribal, paid or stupid, then complain that your candidate is isolated.

The tragedy is that the movement is trying to become humble after burning too many bridges.

Their candidate’s chances have suffered because his loudest followers became his worst advertisement. They made Obi look intolerant by association. They turned a reform message into a cultic shouting match. They made disagreement feel dangerous.

So yes, the Obidients appear quieter today.

But it is not because they suddenly discovered wisdom.

It is because reality has reduced the volume.

The mob has not disappeared. It has only learned that noise is not power.

And for Peter Obi, that lesson may have come too late.

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by slivertongue: 7:49am On Jul 03

He sponsored obi and paid all his bills. Kenneth shouldn't punch above his weight

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Switruth: 7:49am On Jul 03

As this one mouth be na so him brain be...

Basket mouth.

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by CharlesCNG: 7:52am On Jul 03

fuckJones:
Can you now tell us more about yes daddy's video?

Yes... in Okonkwo’s voice.

The “Yes Daddy” episode was that political family meeting where Peter Obi allegedly entered spiritual conference call mode with Bishop Oyedepo, and every “Yes Daddy” sounded like campaign strategy wearing choir robe.

When the audio came out, Labour people first tried to dodge, deny and deodorise it. But Kenneth Okonkwo, then still inside the Obi household, practically admitted the voice and tried to spin it as normal political communication.

Fast-forward today, the same Kenneth has left Obi’s parish, entered Atiku’s marriage registry, and is now preaching a new gospel from ADC pulpit.

So yes, let us talk about “Yes Daddy.”

It was the day politics wore cassock, campaign entered altar call, and Obidients discovered that even audio evidence can become “fake” once it embarrasses their messiah.

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by CharlesCNG: 7:58am On Jul 03

Antoeni:
Now We Can See Sister Kenneth Okonkwo in Channels Television Please Mr. Peter Obi Lawyers Should Take Note So The Letter Can Be Proudly Be Delivered to Him There in Person, is Like Channels is His New Home Now

Obidients and the Keneth Okonkwo's Address Mischief: When Law Starts Looking Like Optics. by CharlesCNG

There is another angle in this Kenneth Okonkwo versus Peter Obi drama that should not be ignored: the service-of-process controversy.

According to public reports, Obi filed the defamation suit at the **Onitsha Judicial Division of the Anambra State High Court**, even though the alleged defamatory statements were made during a Channels Television appearance and Okonkwo is widely associated with Abuja political circles. Reports also say the court later granted substituted service after Obi’s lawyers claimed they could not serve him personally. The service order reportedly related to an address in Nsukka, Enugu State.

Now, let us be clear: substituted service is legal. Courts use it where personal service becomes difficult. Filing in a state high court is also not automatically illegal merely because the defendant lives elsewhere.

But politics is not only about legality. It is also about optics, fairness and motive.

This is where the matter becomes interesting.

The lawyers involved in this fight are not strangers to Kenneth Okonkwo. These are people who worked closely with him during the presidential election petition season. They know he is not a ghost. They know he is not hiding in one forest. They know he is based in Abuja. They know he has a known public presence and, according to his own side, lives in his own self-built Abuja home.

So why the drama?

Why run to Onitsha High Court for a matter arising from a television appearance, then attempt service in Nsukka, while the man is publicly reachable in Abuja?

That is where the mischief begins to smell.

If this was purely about justice, serve the man where you know he can be found. If the case is strong, meet him cleanly in court. But if you deliberately chase shadows, then allow your online choir to shout “Kenneth is running,” that is not law. That is propaganda choreography.

And this is the typical Obidient optics game.

First, create a service drama.
Then frame the opponent as evasive.
Then let the mob shout “he is afraid.”
Then use the confusion as political content.

But Kenneth Okonkwo is not hiding. He has been on television. He has been issuing statements. He has been practically daring them to face the substance of his allegations.

So the question remains: are they trying to try the case in court, or are they trying to try Kenneth Okonkwo in the court of Obidient social media?

Because if the case is strong, the route should be simple:

Serve him properly.
Face him squarely.
Argue the facts.
Win on merit.

But this Onitsha-to-Nsukka drama, when Abuja is sitting there waving at everybody, looks less like confidence and more like carefully staged optics.

The Obidient mob may enjoy the noise, but serious people can see the pattern.

When they cannot win the argument, they try to win the headline.

6 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Antoeni(op): 8:04am On Jul 03

Even The Oppositions That Are Supposed to Be Attacking The Current Government, All of Them Are Mentioning Obi As if He is The Current President. The Man Really Get Quality of a Country's President.

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by CharlesCNG: 8:20am On Jul 03

Antoeni:
Maybe Atiku Saw His Nuisance Value. His Greed, Deciet, Hypocrisy And Double Standard.

At Least His Accommodation Problem Has Finally Been Taken Care of

Don’t Cry for Brother Kenneth

I will not pretend Kenneth Okonkwo is my friend. He is not.

But this cheap Obidient propaganda that he left because of “accommodation problem” is exactly why serious people no longer take their choir seriously. The man has been living in Abuja, in a mansion-like residence, for years. So this childish “flat and accommodation” story is not analysis. It is the usual Obidient emergency lie, manufactured to destroy anyone who leaves their altar.

But Kenneth should not cry too much.

He deserves part of what is coming to him because he dined with the Obidient beast when the table was sweet. He helped feed the same mob culture that now wants to eat him. When he was defending Obi, the mob was holy. Now that he is criticising Obi, the mob has become toxic.

No, Brother Kenneth. It was always toxic. You only discovered the poison when the cup was served to you.

That movement does not debate dissenters. It excommunicates them. Like all political cults, once you leave the shrine, they do not ask why. They call you hungry, bitter, paid, rented, tribal, fake and compromised.

As for Peter Obi, this is the danger of building a movement on sainthood instead of structure. The moment an insider speaks, the choir panics.

And Atiku? If he truly welcomed Kenneth, maybe he saw his nuisance value. In politics, even a former choir master can become a useful whistleblower.

So don’t cry for Brother Kenneth.

He joined the mob when it was biting others.

Now the teeth have found his own trouser.

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by joeyswift(m): 8:26am On Jul 03

I am not an Obi fan, but the way people talk about him like he is the president ,made me to start digging deep and I found myself tilting more towards him.

10 Likes 1 Share

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Antoeni(op): 8:29am On Jul 03

Another Script Has Been Assigned to Him And He's Playing it Perfectly

Good to See Him Choosing His Words Carefully

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by DeltaBachelor(m): 9:01am On Jul 03

lol. E go soon clear for your eyes Oga

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by oluwaseyi0: 9:01am On Jul 03

This man talks too way much

3 Likes

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by CharlesCNG: 9:03am On Jul 03

haffaze777:
Tinubu supporters are not Buhari supporters.Tinubu supporters are not ready for any bully from any Obidient

I agree to an extent.

The Buhari years saw some of the harshest political rhetoric in recent history. Buhari was called everything by the obidient headless mob including the bizarre "Jubril from Sudan" conspiracy. He was mocked over his health, his certificate, his family and virtually every aspect of his presidency.

That period also normalised a style of political engagement where personal abuse often replaced argument.

What many Tinubu supporters are saying today is simple: they are not prepared to absorb that style of engagement in silence.

If you bring facts, expect facts in return.

If you bring arguments, expect arguments.

But if you bring insults, abuse and intimidation as political strategy, don't be surprised when you receive robust pushback instead of quiet tolerance.

2027 will not be 2023.

Many people who watched the toxicity of the last election have resolved that political disagreement does not require surrender.

Debate is welcome.

Bullying is not.

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Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by flokii: 9:03am On Jul 03

This nollywood relic should fvck off abeg.. he has no substance or influence in politics.

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Houseofglam7(f): 9:04am On Jul 03

Wisdom truly doesn’t come with age.

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Dogalmighty17: 9:04am On Jul 03

Betrayal only happens from a lower person to a higher one. This creature that couldn't pay rent until Atiku sent him money has no business claiming Obi betrayed him. Who would have heard of him after his long dead acting career if Obi hadn't allowed him share a bit of the spotlight?

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Jeffy1206(m): 9:04am On Jul 03

Oga no value in you. Na your wide mouth he dey look no be value. So go and rest. grin

1 Like

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by Mightym: 9:04am On Jul 03

Abeg rest! Leave Obi alone and face your new job. Good luck to you

Re: Obi Betrayed Me, Atiku Saw Value In Me, Says Kenneth Okonkwo by dapsoneh: 9:07am On Jul 03

What is Kenneth Okonkwo is mad and we dont know that he is mad

1 2 3 4 Reply

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