The most trusted media channel, Lazeera news captured that according to a report by Channels TV, Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has sparked a political firestorm by declaring that he will abandon his party’s platform in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) if the Southeast is denied the ADC’s presidential ticket in 2027.
The veteran actor-turned-politician addressed the contentious issue of zoning and regional inclusion, framing the 2027 general elections as a litmus test for justice and equity in Nigeria’s democracy.
He explained that his stance is not merely about party politics but is driven by a deep-seated need for fairness and political balance in how presidential tickets are allocated across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
He argued that the region has been sidelined in the current democratic dispensation, which began in 1999.
According to Okonkwo, the region has not had a fair opportunity to produce a president, and he insisted that political parties must take deliberate steps to rectify this historical grievance. He maintained that zoning is a vital tool for national stability.
The ADC chieftain concluded the interview with a stark warning to the political establishment. He suggested that traditional party lines would blur in 2027 as voters and leaders prioritize regional representation over partisan labels.
Finally, Okonkwo stressed that his support would follow any platform that “ensures the Southeast is given a fair opportunity in Nigeria’s highest political office,” signaling a potential realignment of political forces as the race for the 2027 presidency begins to take shape.
