Actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo has announced his resignation from the Labour Party, effective February 25, 2025. He made this known in a detailed post on X today, February 11, citing the party’s structural and leadership challenges as his primary reason for leaving.

According to Okonkwo, the Labour Party, in its current state, is "non-existent as presently constituted." He highlighted that the tenure of the ward, local government, and state party executives is three years, as stipulated in Article 15(2)(3)(4) of the party’s constitution. However, no congresses have been conducted at these levels within the constitutionally allowed period, rendering their leadership void.

He further criticized the former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, and the former National Working Committee (NWC) for failing to organize a legally recognized national convention. Okonkwo noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not recognize the Abure-led NWC, and the courts have ruled that party leadership matters fall within the internal affairs of the party, leaving Labour Party without effective national leadership.

He acknowledged the formation of a caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman, which was set up by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) and mandated to conduct congresses and a national convention within six months. However, he alleged that Abure and his associates, in collaboration with external forces, have obstructed the committee’s operations through legal challenges.

Okonkwo, who is also a lawyer, stated that if Abure was genuinely committed to the emergence of a southern presidential candidate in the 2027 elections to challenge President Bola Tinubu, he would have stepped aside as National Chairman in favor of a northern leader.

Concluding his statement, Okonkwo expressed gratitude to Nigerians who supported him and the party, reaffirming his commitment to good governance. He stated that his resignation will take effect on February 25, 2025, marking the second anniversary of the 2023 presidential election. After this date, he intends to work with other like-minded Nigerians to shape the future of governance in the country.