Kenneth Okonkwo’s attacks on Peter Obi raise questions about his credibility — SERG

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — The South East Revival Group has condemned recent attacks by actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo on former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, describing them as a campaign that raises questions about Okonkwo’s consistency and credibility.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Nnaemeka Aleke, SERG argued that Okonkwo’s criticisms of Obi conflict with his previous public endorsements of the former Anambra State governor.

According to the group, Okonkwo was not merely an observer of Obi’s political career but one of his most prominent supporters and advocates.

“For years, he presented Peter Obi as a leader defined by integrity, prudence, competence, transparency, accountability and transformational leadership. He publicly vouched for Obi’s character, judgment, capacity and fitness for the presidency,” the statement said.

SERG questioned which version of Okonkwo Nigerians should believe — the one who strongly endorsed Obi in the past or the one who now criticises him following the collapse of their political relationship.

“The Kenneth Okonkwo who passionately told Nigerians that Peter Obi was one of the finest political leaders in contemporary Nigeria, or the Kenneth Okonkwo who now seeks to portray the same man differently? Both versions cannot be true,” the group stated.

It argued that if Okonkwo’s earlier endorsements were accurate, his current criticisms would be difficult to reconcile, while if his present position is correct, questions would arise about his past representations.

The group also recalled Okonkwo’s previous criticisms of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, noting that changing political alignments had altered relationships among political actors.

SERG further referenced Daniel Bwala, who had previously criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before later joining his administration.

While acknowledging that individuals have the right to change political opinions, the group said Nigerians were becoming increasingly sceptical of politicians whose positions appear to shift with changing political circumstances.

On reports of a proposed N5 billion defamation suit by Obi against Okonkwo, SERG said any allegations should be subjected to judicial scrutiny.

“The courtroom is where evidence is tested, facts are scrutinised and truth is separated from propaganda. If Kenneth Okonkwo possesses credible evidence, he should present it before the court,” the statement said.

The group urged Obi not to be distracted by threats of further revelations and to allow any legal process to run its course if he deems it necessary.

SERG also called on Okonkwo to apologise to Obi and Nigerians, arguing that his current statements appear inconsistent with his previous endorsements.

According to the group, the situation leaves Nigerians with two possibilities: either Okonkwo misled the public in the past or he is doing so now.

The organisation advised Nigerians to assess political leaders based on their records and values rather than on the changing opinions of political figures whose positions may shift over time.

It maintained that consistency in conviction remains a more reliable guide than political expediency, adding that history tends to favour those who remain steadfast in their principles.

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