Human rights advocate and lawyer Chidi Odinkalu has criticized Nollywood actor and former Labour Party figure Kenneth Okonkwo over his recent remarks concerning former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Odinkalu made his views known through a post on his verified X account, where he reacted to comments made by Okonkwo during a television interview. In his response, the legal practitioner drew a comparison between the actor’s recent conduct and a character he portrayed in the classic Nollywood movie Living in Bondage, suggesting that Okonkwo had returned to embodying a similar role in real life.
The controversy stemmed from Okonkwo’s criticism of Peter Obi during an appearance on Channels Television. While discussing Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future elections, the former Labour Party spokesman argued that supporting Obi could indirectly benefit President Bola Tinubu by dividing opposition votes.
“The reason I said it is that either you’re working for Tinubu directly, in other words, you’re in APC, or you’re working for Tinubu indirectly because when you divide the votes of the coalition and the opposition, you’re still making Tinubu better placed to win.” Kenneth Okonkwo had said.
Reacting to the statement, Odinkalu suggested that the actor’s comments reflected poor judgment and a misunderstanding of the political realities involved. His remarks implied that Okonkwo’s position was inconsistent with the expectations many Nigerians had of him.
The comments generated considerable discussion on social media, where supporters and critics of both men exchanged views on the ongoing debate. Many users weighed in on the broader implications of opposition politics and coalition-building ahead of future electoral contests.
Okonkwo’s remarks have continued to attract criticism from some political observers and supporters of Peter Obi. Odinkalu’s intervention has further fueled the conversation, adding another dimension to the growing public debate surrounding the actor’s recent political statements.
Kindly read what Chidi Odinkalu wrote on his official X handle below;
