- Safiu Kehinde
An African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has talked down the presidential ambition of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, stressing that his temperament and capacity are incompatible with the traits required of a Nigerian leader.
Okonkwo questioned Obi’s ability to address the challenges facing Nigeria considering history defections over party challenges.
The former Nollywood actor turned politician made this known during an interview on Arise TV’s NewsDay programme on Wednesday.
Speaking on the former Anambra governor’s recent defection from the ADC to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Okonkwo maintained that a candidate changing parties over internal crisis cannot be entrusted with the leadership of Nigeria, ac country faced with multiple challenges.
“Changing party is not what questions your capacity, your competence, or your character. It is the reason you adduced for changing the party.
“Peter Obi said I don’t have a problem with David Mark, meaning he didn’t have a problem with the ADC.
“He said I don’t have a problem with Atiku Abubakar, meaning he does not have any problem with the aspirants. Then what is the reason he gave?
“He said I don’t like challenges. I don’t like trouble. ADC is going through challenges- legal and otherwise. I would like to run away to where there is peace, to where there is no trouble.
“And I now ask, how can this same man ask Nigerians to entrust Nigeria in his care when Nigeria is the most challenged country in the world today?” He asked.
The ADC chieftain claimed that Nigeria is physically and mentally challenged in all capacity as he highlighted some of the challenges.
“Nigeria is the fourth most terrorised nation on earth.
“Nigeria has borrowed itself to bankruptcy. Nigeria, as I’m talking to you, bandits tie people on the tree and put fire under them to burn them in Kwara, Kogi, and Niger.
“How can a man who says he is running away from challenges be able to face the challenges we are facing in Nigeria today?” He said.
Okonkwo held that the ADC cannot miss anything with Obi’s defection as he maintained that the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate lack the requirements of a Nigerian leader.
“Peter Obi’s temperament and capacity is incompatible with the requirement of Nigeria of today. So, the ADC cannot possibly be missing anything.” He added.