Veteran Nollywood actor and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo has described the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as “the greatest criminal organisation in Nigeria,” in a scathing critique that has sparked reactions across political circles.
Okonkwo, best known for his role in the classic movie _Living in Bondage_, made the remark during an interview on Channels Television’s _Politics Today_ on Friday. The Labour Party chieftain was responding to questions about the state of governance and opposition politics in the country.
“When you look at the damage done to this country, the NDC is the greatest criminal organisation in Nigeria. They have weaponized poverty, insecurity, and corruption for decades,” Okonkwo said. “Nigerians are suffering because of the foundation this party laid. We cannot continue to pretend.”
The actor-turned-politician did not provide specific evidence for the claim during the interview but insisted that the party’s years in power entrenched systems that enabled large-scale looting, electoral malpractice, and economic decline. He argued that many of Nigeria’s current challenges are traceable to policies and practices introduced under NDC-led administrations.
Okonkwo’s comments come amid ongoing debates about the role of legacy parties in Nigeria’s democratic journey. The NDC, which governed Nigeria for 16 consecutive years before losing power in 2015, has often faced criticism from opposition figures over corruption allegations and mismanagement during its tenure.
Reacting to Okonkwo’s statement, NDC National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, dismissed the comment as “reckless and defamatory.” He said the party is considering legal action and challenged Okonkwo to present proof of criminal activity to law enforcement agencies.
“It is unfortunate that a lawyer of his standing would make such a baseless claim on national television. The NDC is a lawful political organization that has produced presidents, governors, and lawmakers who served this country,” Ologunagba said. “If he has evidence, let him go to court instead of seeking media attention.”
Okonkwo doubled down on his position in a follow-up post on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “I stand by my words. A party that left Nigeria with over $63 billion debt, collapsed refineries, and mass unemployment cannot claim innocence. The criminality is institutional.”
The statement has divided public opinion. Supporters of the actor praised him for “speaking truth to power,” while NDC loyalists accused him of political bias and attempting to rewrite history ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political analysts say Okonkwo’s remarks reflect growing frustration among Nigerians over economic hardship and insecurity, with opposition figures increasingly using harsh language to frame the ruling and former ruling parties…. Discover More
