Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) of widespread bribery during the party’s recent primary elections. Speaking to Channels TV, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain claimed that South-East party leaders, including presidential candidate Peter Obi, orchestrated payments from aspirants that amounted to systematic corruption.
Whistle-Blower Comes Forward
According to Okonkwo, the revelation came via an “SOS message” from Obunike Ohaegbu, an NDC aspirant seeking to represent the Nnewi North and Nnewi South Federal Constituency in Anambra State. The aspirant reportedly provided receipts and detailed accounts of payments made to secure candidacy positions.
Obi Accused of Direct Involvement
Okonkwo alleged that Peter Obi personally oversaw the process, dictating that aspirants pay bribes despite prior assurances about election fees. The alleged scheme involved collection of N10 million for House of Representatives positions and N20 million for Senate slots, after aspirants had already paid their expression-of-interest forms.
“The aspirant sent me the receipt of the money,” Okonkwo claimed, adding that Obi was “in the John Wood hotel writing names of candidates” while the primaries were ongoing.
Political Fallout
Okonkwo went further, stating that anyone voting for Peter Obi and the NDC in 2027 would, in his view, be “voting for criminality.” He argued that the alleged bribery undermines the credibility of the primaries and erodes public trust in the party’s internal processes.
Call for Accountability
The claims highlight ongoing tensions within opposition politics in the South-East and underscore broader concerns about transparency in Nigerian electoral processes. Analysts note that such allegations, if verified, could impact the party’s image ahead of the 2027 general elections and prompt investigations by electoral and anti-corruption authorities.
