Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticised what he described as growing political intolerance among supporters of Peter Obi in the Southeast region of Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Okonkwo alleged that politicians from the Southeast who choose to contest elections under political parties different from Obi’s platform are often subjected to harassment, insults, and public ridicule by some of Obi’s supporters.
The former spokesperson for the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council expressed concern over what he considers an unhealthy political culture capable of discouraging democratic participation and political diversity in the region.
According to Okonkwo, individuals who decide to align with parties outside Obi’s political structure are frequently labelled with derogatory names and accused of betraying the interests of the Igbo people.
During the interview, he said, “If you want to contest in Igbo land under another party, you will see Obi’s supporters embarrassing the person, abusing the person. They will say, ‘Hey, you are a sellout! Hey, you are a betrayer!’ No, Igbo people should not do like that.”
Okonkwo argued that politics in a democratic society should accommodate differing opinions and affiliations without intimidation or hostility. He maintained that political competition should not be treated as an act of disloyalty, especially within a region seeking greater unity and influence in national affairs.
The ADC chieftain also drew comparisons between political practices in the Southeast and those in the Southwest. He pointed to the experience of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which he described as a party largely associated with the Southwest, noting that politicians in the region are often free to pursue ambitions on different political platforms without facing attacks from their own people…….See More
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