Prominent political commentator and actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, has publicly ridiculed the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following its threat to sanction members involved in the newly formed opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, had, during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, affirmed the party’s unity after a National Working Committee meeting. Damagum stated that “disciplinary action will be taken at the appropriate time against members who are working to undermine the party.” While accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of enticing its members, Damagum expressed optimism that defectors would eventually return.
However, in a post on his official 𝕏 handle on Thursday, Kenneth Okonkwo declared the major opposition party to be “dead.” He sharply questioned the PDP leadership’s rationale for threatening members supporting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the new coalition, especially when, according to him, some PDP leaders have already defected to the APC, openly endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, and are actively working for the ruling party while still retaining their PDP membership.
Okonkwo’s post read: “PDP leadership has really become the clowns of the APC. How can you be talking about dealing with your members who are supporting ADC and the Coalition when PDP leaders have defected to APC, openly endorsed Tinubu for 2027, and are working for APC, even while still being members of PDP, and PDP is accommodating them and even making excuses for them. PDP is dead.”
Okonkwo’s comments highlight perceived inconsistencies within the PDP’s disciplinary approach, suggesting a double standard in how the party treats members aligning with different political interests.
