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…As Group Accuses Former Obi Ally of Contradictions, Challenges Him to Prove Allegations in Court
The South East Revival Group (SERG) has launched a scathing attack on actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over his sustained criticism of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing the campaign as a “desperate and self-indicting crusade” that has exposed what it called a profound credibility crisis.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Rt. Hon. Nnaemeka Aleke, the group argued that every allegation currently being levelled against Obi ultimately raises uncomfortable questions about Okonkwo’s own integrity and political consistency.
According to SERG, Okonkwo’s position is particularly difficult to reconcile because he was once among Obi’s most prominent supporters and public advocates.
“The tragedy of Kenneth Okonkwo’s current crusade against Peter Obi is that every attack he launches against Obi ultimately rebounds against himself,” the statement declared.
The group noted that Okonkwo was not merely a casual observer of Obi’s political career but one of his most visible defenders who consistently presented him to Nigerians as a leader defined by integrity, prudence, transparency, accountability, competence and transformational capacity.
“For years, he stood before Nigerians and passionately sold Peter Obi as the embodiment of integrity, prudence, competence, transparency, accountability and transformational leadership,” SERG stated.
“He vouched for Obi’s character. He vouched for Obi’s judgment. He vouched for Obi’s capacity. He vouched for Obi’s integrity. He vouched for Obi’s fitness for the highest office in the land.”
The group said the sudden reversal in Okonkwo’s position has created a credibility dilemma that Nigerians cannot ignore.
“Today, the same Kenneth Okonkwo wants Nigerians to believe a completely different story. SERG therefore asks a simple question: Which Kenneth Okonkwo should Nigerians believe?” the statement asked.
“The Kenneth Okonkwo who passionately told Nigerians that Peter Obi was one of the finest political leaders in contemporary Nigeria? Or the Kenneth Okonkwo who now seeks to portray the same man in an entirely different light after their political relationship collapsed?”
SERG maintained that both narratives could not simultaneously be true.
“If Kenneth Okonkwo was truthful then, why should Nigerians take his current attacks seriously? If he is truthful now, then why did he spend years misleading Nigerians? Either way, the greatest victim of this contradiction is Kenneth Okonkwo’s own credibility,” the group asserted.
The organisation further argued that the controversy transcends Obi and instead raises questions about whether Okonkwo is guided by enduring political principles or merely by shifting political interests.
The statement recalled that Okonkwo had previously been one of the fiercest critics of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, questioning his leadership credentials and opposing his presidential ambitions, but now appears politically aligned with him.
“Yesterday’s enemy has become today’s ally. Yesterday’s hero has become today’s villain. The question therefore is not about Peter Obi. The question is whether Kenneth Okonkwo stands for any enduring principle beyond the politics of convenience,” SERG said.
Drawing parallels with the political evolution of Daniel Bwala, who once criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu before later joining his administration, SERG said Nigerians were increasingly becoming disillusioned with political actors whose convictions appear to shift according to changing political circumstances.
The group also weighed in on the growing legal dispute between Obi and Okonkwo, particularly reports that Obi has threatened a N5 billion defamation suit while Okonkwo has vowed to expose his former principal in court.
“Let him do so,” SERG declared.
“The courtroom is not a television studio. The courtroom is not a political rally. The courtroom is not social media. The courtroom is where evidence is tested, facts are scrutinised, and truth is separated from propaganda.”
The organisation insisted that if Okonkwo possesses credible evidence against Obi, he should present it through the judicial process rather than through public commentary.
“If Kenneth Okonkwo possesses credible evidence, he should present it before the court. If he does not, then Nigerians will know that the noise was merely noise,” the statement added.
SERG also urged Obi not to be intimidated by threats of sensational disclosures and encouraged him to pursue any legal remedies available if he believes his reputation has been unfairly attacked.
“We therefore urge Peter Obi not to retreat, not to be distracted, and not to be intimidated by threats of sensational revelations. If there are grounds for legal action, he should proceed and allow the judicial process to run its course,” the group stated.
The organisation further called on Okonkwo to publicly apologise to Obi and Nigerians, arguing that his current allegations directly contradict the glowing endorsements he repeatedly made in the past.
“We also call on Kenneth Okonkwo to immediately apologise to Peter Obi and Nigerians for creating a situation in which his current statements directly contradict the glowing endorsements he repeatedly made in the past.”
According to SERG, Okonkwo’s present position leaves Nigerians with only two possible conclusions.
“Either he misled Nigerians then or he is misleading them now. Neither possibility inspires confidence.”
The group concluded by warning Nigerians against what it described as “political weathercocks” who change loyalties and narratives depending on political advantage.
“Such individuals should not be mistaken for political thinkers, ideological advocates, or custodians of public morality. They are merely political weathercocks, moving whichever way the wind blows,” the statement said.
SERG maintained that the controversy offers an important lesson for the electorate, urging Nigerians to evaluate political leaders based on verifiable records, performance and enduring values rather than on the changing opinions of political actors.
“History will always be kinder to those who remain consistent in their convictions than to those who repeatedly reinvent themselves to suit the politics of the moment,” the group concluded.
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