Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, has appointed lawyer and politician Kenneth Okonkwo as his official spokesperson.
Okonkwo announced his appointment on Thursday, expressing appreciation to Atiku for entrusting him with the responsibility despite their previous differences over some party decisions.
Reacting to the appointment, Okonkwo said, “I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank him for the immense confidence reposed in me.”
He described the appointment as a reflection of Atiku’s leadership style, noting that the former vice president prefers engagement and consensus-building over confrontation.
“Rather than take offence at associates for expressing genuine reservations, His Excellency always opts for dialogue and compromise that engender solutions to problems,” Okonkwo said.
Okonkwo disclosed that consultations with Atiku and other ADC leaders addressed concerns over the political interests of the South-East, assuring that the region’s interests had been considered within the framework of the Electoral Act and prevailing political realities.
He also acknowledged the contributions of party stakeholders, including Kashim Imam, former ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu and Ekene Onwuka, for their roles in strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
The appointment comes weeks after Okonkwo openly criticised the party’s vice-presidential selection process, expressing concern over the political representation of the South-East within the coalition.