(Kenneth Okonkwo. Photo Credit; PressPayNg)
Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesman for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, has said Peter Obi’s exit from the party left the South-East region disadvantaged and thrown into confusion.
Okonkwo made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on a television programme, while responding to questions on why former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has yet to publicly acknowledge his vice presidential candidacy on his social media platforms.
He explained that prior to the ADC’s presidential primary, a candidate from the South-East had shown interest in the race but withdrew before the process concluded, a move he said left the region at a disadvantage.
According to him, when Obi subsequently exited the party altogether, it created the impression that a position meant for the South-East had suddenly become vacant.
The Nollywood actor-turned-politician noted that filling this gap proved difficult, since the Electoral Act prevents parties from selecting running mates who were not party members.
At least 21 days before the primary, a rule that effectively ruled out figures such as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, both of whom were floated as possible candidates but were no longer ADC members by the time of the primary.
