Kenneth Okonkwo Said, 'The ADC Vice-Presidential Candidate Should Come From The South-East' - Okai

In a recent interview on Arise TV, on Thursday, June 2, 2026, Austin Okai, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), shed more light on the controversy surrounding Kenneth Okonkwo's earlier comments about the party's vice-presidential nomination. He said the issue reflected regional political interests rather than hostility toward the party's leadership.

Okai noted that discussions over zoning and political representation have remained part of Nigeria's democratic process, particularly ahead of major elections. He argued that such conversations should not be mistaken for internal crises within political parties.

Speaking during the interview, Okai stated, "Kenneth Okonkwo said, 'The ADC vice-presidential candidate should come from the South-East.'" 

He explained that Okonkwo's position was rooted in his belief that the South-East should produce the party's vice-presidential candidate, rather than a rejection of the eventual nominee.

According to Okai, the concerns raised by Okonkwo have since been addressed through internal discussions, allowing party members to move forward with a common objective. He maintained that the ADC remains committed to building a broad national coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The ADC member further emphasized that the party values open political dialogue and believes differing opinions can strengthen internal democracy when managed responsibly. He added that the focus has now shifted to mobilizing support for the party's presidential ticket.

He concluded by expressing confidence that the ADC would continue to resolve internal disagreements peacefully while concentrating on presenting what he described as a credible alternative to Nigerians in the 2027 elections.