Atiku-Amaechi ticket: ‘Kenneth Okonkwo exchanged his brain with sharp tongue’ – Lawyer

Human rights lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, on Tuesday accused a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kenneth Okonkwo of exchanging his brain for his sharp tongue.

Idam was reacting to Okonkwo’s rejected of the Atiku-Amaechi’s ADC presidential ticket.

Okonkwo had faulted the decision of the ADC to pick the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who hails from the South South as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate.

The ADC chieftain vowed never to campaign for Atiku if his running mate is not from the Southeast.

However, Idam in a statement said: “Kenneth Okonkwo, who seems to have exchanged his brain for an exceptionally sharp tongue, has spoken again. This time, he appears to be advocating for a presidential ticket that accommodates the Southeast, either as President or Vice President.

“On the surface, one might mistake this position for pan-Igbo advocacy. However, the real question lies in what may truly motivate his agitation.

“I suspect that at some point he positioned himself as a potential running mate to Atiku Abubakar—a wild ambition that may have contributed significantly to the erosion of his public image. How he convinced himself that such a possibility ever existed can only be explained by greed and overreaching ambition.

“A man who lacks the capacity to attract votes beyond his own cannot realistically be considered a valuable electoral asset. Atiku, whatever his shortcomings, would hardly risk what may be his final presidential bid on such a gamble.”

The human rights lawyer suggested that perhaps Okonkwo’s next political destination should be the APC, where his current disposition may find a more comfortable home.

He also alleged that Okonkwo’s fallout with the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi was due to his inability to secure a duplex he reportedly desired.

“I have heard claims that his relationship with Peter Obi deteriorated because Obi allegedly could not provide the duplex accommodation he reportedly desired. I’m not sure if that is correct.

“However, if that is indeed all it takes to earn the loyalty of some political actors, then President Tinubu’s camp may be well positioned to satisfy such expectations in exchange for vigorous marketing of an underperforming government.

In politics, convictions are tested not when comfort is guaranteed, but when principles come at a cost.

“The public must now watch out for a possible switch. After all, all it takes is the same tongue to deny everything he has ever said,” he added.