Lawyer and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has delivered a blistering critique of President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing them of neglecting Nigerians during a period of widespread hardship.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Okonkwo described the APC as “a curse on this country,” claiming the administration has pushed Nigeria deeper into crisis across vital sectors.
“Where is your president? Vacationing in France. People are dying in Zamfara, dying in Katsina. He said he’s going on vacation. Work leave,” Okonkwo said angrily.
The former Labour Party chieftain listed multiple challenges confronting the nation from strikes in education and healthcare to unpaid contractors and looming trouble in the oil industry as proof of government failure.
“A country that has problems in education, healthcare, and infrastructure is a country in distress. We have more malnourished children now in Nigeria than in Sudan. People are suffering, people are dying. And this president is vacationing in Paris, wearing the best of suits, laughing at the suffering of Nigerians. God should save us from APC,” he declared.
Earlier this month, President Tinubu departed Abuja for Europe on a 10-day working vacation as part of his annual leave. His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the president would spend time in France and the United Kingdom, combining rest with informal consultations. Vice President Kashim Shettima was tasked with overseeing state affairs during Tinubu’s absence.
Asked whether opposition figures would govern differently, Okonkwo argued that genuine leaders should not be seen “vacationing abroad” while citizens grapple with hardship. He said Nigeria’s leaders must prioritize solving domestic crises over promoting foreign tourism.
On his political stance, Okonkwo dismissed rumours of a rift with Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying their relationship remained cordial. He added, however, that his future support would depend on the strength of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he currently plays a role.
“I have told you that whoever wins the ADC presidential primary, I will support. But if the Labour Party, which was the foundation of our alliance, is no longer there, going forth would be a new arrangement,” he explained.
Okonkwo further urged the media to stop portraying the ADC as divided, stressing that David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola remain its legitimate leaders. He emphasized that the ADC, founded in 2005, predates the APC and is moving forward in unity.
