Former presidential campaign spokesperson and actor Kenneth Okonkwo has said that no politician from Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone met the membership requirement of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to emerge as the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Okonkwo made the remarks while addressing ongoing discussions over the selection of a vice-presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election, amid growing political realignments involving opposition figures.
According to him, the issue was not a rejection of the South-East but rather a consequence of the party’s internal rules governing eligibility for its ticket. He explained that, at the time the decision was being considered, no prominent South-East politician had fulfilled the ADC’s membership requirements necessary to qualify for nomination as the vice-presidential candidate.
The former spokesperson maintained that political parties are expected to adhere to their constitutions and established procedures when selecting candidates for elective offices. He argued that compliance with party regulations is essential to preserving internal democracy and avoiding disputes that could undermine the credibility of the nomination process.
Okonkwo also dismissed suggestions that the South-East was deliberately sidelined, insisting that the decision was based on the party’s guidelines rather than ethnic or regional considerations. He stressed that all aspirants, regardless of their geopolitical zone, must satisfy the conditions laid down by the party before they can be considered for any position.
His comments come amid continued debate over the place of the South-East in Nigeria’s political landscape and calls for greater inclusion of the region in national leadership positions.
Political stakeholders from the South-East have repeatedly advocated increased representation in key elective and appointive offices, arguing that equitable participation is necessary to strengthen national unity and reinforce confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
The issue of balancing regional interests has remained a recurring feature of Nigeria’s electoral politics, particularly during the selection of presidential and vice-presidential candidates by major political parties.
Analysts note that while political parties often consider factors such as geographical spread, electoral strength, religious balance, and political experience when assembling presidential tickets, compliance with party constitutions and nomination procedures also plays a significant role in determining eligibility.
Okonkwo urged political actors and party members to focus on strengthening internal democratic processes, maintaining that transparent and rule-based decision-making is vital to building public trust in the electoral system.
His remarks have added another dimension to the evolving political conversations ahead of the 2027 general election, as parties and prospective candidates continue consultations and strategic planning in preparation for the next electoral cycle. The statement is expected to fuel further debate over party regulations, regional representation, and the criteria for selecting candidates in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive political environment.
