A 2023 interview of actor-turned-politician and newly appointed spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Kenneth Okonkwo, has resurfaced online, drawing fresh reactions following his appointment by the 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress.

In the viral Channels Television interview, Okonkwo, who was then a spokesperson for the Labour Party presidential campaign, made harsh remarks about Atiku over allegations relating to consultancy payments and special purpose vehicles.

Speaking during the interview, Okonkwo said, “Atiku has confessed that he used special purpose vehicles to create phoney companies for which he paid consultancy fees, and from which the consultancy fees were paid back to him.

“He said it openly. His voice is there.

“Buhari is supposed to send him to jail.

“The two people that deserve prison, I don’t know what they are looking for in the presidency,” Okonkwo said.

He also criticised Atiku’s response to allegations surrounding the Achimugu controversy, saying, “Nobody has sued him for defamation, libel or slander.

“These are issues that the candidates themselves and their parties have controversially said do not exist.

“Atiku was asked about the issue of Achimugu by the BBC. You know what he said? ‘We’ve passed over that.’ He offered no defence,” the actor said.

The throwback clip resurfaced barely weeks after PUNCH Online reported that Atiku appointed Okonkwo as his official spokesperson ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Announcing the appointment on his X page, Okonkwo thanked the former vice president for the confidence reposed in him.

“I give God all the glory to be appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson.

“I thank HE AA for the immense confidence reposed in me,” he wrote.

He described the appointment as evidence of Atiku’s leadership style, noting that the former vice president preferred dialogue over resentment whenever disagreements arose.

“Rather than pick offence against any of his associates for expressing genuine reservations over any action taken, HE AA always opts for dialogue and compromise that will engender solutions to problems,” Okonkwo stated.

He further disclosed that during meetings with Atiku and leaders of the African Democratic Congress, concerns regarding the interests of the South-East were discussed and addressed despite what he described as challenges posed by the Electoral Act, 2026.

The appointment followed weeks of disagreement after Okonkwo publicly criticised the ADC’s decision to pick former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate, arguing that the move further sidelined the South-East from occupying either the presidency or vice presidency since 1999.

The resurfaced interview has since generated reactions on social media, with many users contrasting Okonkwo’s previous criticisms of Atiku with his new role as the former vice president’s spokesperson. (The PUNCH)

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