…..Advises Him To Learn Trade Of Political Communication
….Appeals For Unity Ahead Of 2027 General Elections
Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on Thursday, berated the spokesperson of the party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Barr. Kenneth Okonkwo, for insinuating that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, had no option but to accept the nomination of Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (CRA) as his running mate.
In a statement, Chief Eze strongly condemned the remarks credited to Barr. Okonkwo, describing it as a deliberate affront on the persons and dignities of Atiku and Amaechi.
In a swift reaction to the comments reported in the media, Eze, formerly the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), described Okonkwo’s suggestion as “sad, unfortunate and insulting” to both Atiku Abubakar and Rotimi Amaechi.
Chief Eze stated that for Okonkwo to portray Amaechi as someone imposed on Atiku, undermines the stature and political pedigree of the former Vice President, whom he called “a political institution” with the experience and capacity to make independent political decisions.
“Those of us who have followed Atiku’s political evolution from the beginning till date know that he has a mind of his own when time to take a decision like this arises, Eze declared.
Such insinuations, Eze submitted, also diminish the credentials of Amaechi, a former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years, former Governor of Rivers State for eight years, former Minister of Transportation for over seven years, and a leading presidential aspirant who has consistently played significant roles in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“On the other hand, for Okonkwo to insinuate that Amaechi was imposed on Atiku implies that Amaechi wasn’t qualified to be nominated as the Vice President to Atiku.
“Any sound mind will agree that with his sixteen years as both Speaker and Governor of Rivers State respectively, Amaechi is not such a political figure to be assumed to have been imposed on Atiku, Eze stated.
“This is totally unacceptable, degrading and counter productive.
This again is an insult on the person and personality of Rt. Hon. Barr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who has all these years aspired to be the President of Nigeria considering his credentials after coming second to Tinubu during the 2023 APC Presidential Primaries and coming second to Atiku during the 2026 ADC Presidential Primaries.
“The truth is that Okonkwo must know that Amaechi’s personality and political sagacity add much value to the joint ticket of the presidential team of ADC, Eze posited.
Chief Eze contended that the emergence of Amaechi as Atiku’s running-mate in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election should be seen as a strategic addition to the ADC’s presidential ticket rather than an imposition.
Without mincing words, Eze stated that he is not opposed to Kenneth Okonkwo serving as spokesperson.
However, the outspoken media czar called for restraint in the way and manner Okonkwo is to go about his assignment, advising him to exercise greater caution in public communication.
“Personally, I don’t have any objection to Kenneth Okonkwo serving as spokesman.
“I advise him to rather avoid statements capable of creating unnecessary controversy or portraying the party’s leaders in a negative light” Eze stated.
He therefore encouraged Okonkwo to emulate experienced political communicators in managing sensitive political issues and to ensure that his public engagements strengthen rather than weaken the party’s image.
“I counsel Okonkwo to learn the ropes of speaking as a spokesperson for an institution like Atiku Abukakar from the likes of Paul Ibe, and Mallam Shehu Garba” Eze advised.
Meanwhile, Chief Eze also called on members and supporters of the ADC to remain united as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
“Our focus should remain on building a united front. Internal disagreements should not distract us from our collective objective of providing Nigerians with a credible alternative.
“This is the time for cohesion, discipline and responsible communication.
“As things stand, we have a common objective and that is, wresting power from Tinubu and APC.
“We need to unite and avoid any issue that will bring any form of division amongst us, if we are to rescue this country from bad democratic governance being perpetrated by Tinubu and his cohorts.
“I urge party leaders, spokespersons and supporters to avoid comments capable of creating division. Unity of purpose remains essential to the party’s success in the forthcoming elections” Eze advised.
