Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Okonkwo accused certain figures within the Labour Party of compromising the integrity of the candidate selection process. He claimed that while many aspirants believed they were participating in a fair and competitive primary election, decisions regarding the eventual winners had already been made.
According to Okonkwo, candidate lists were allegedly being prepared outside the official primary process. He specifically alleged that Peter Obi was involved in compiling the names of individuals who would emerge victorious in the primaries while party members were still participating in the exercise.
He further claimed that the alleged activity took place at the John Wood Hotel, where preferred candidates were reportedly being selected for submission to the party. Okonkwo said the matter was brought to his attention by a House of Representatives aspirant who felt disillusioned after dedicating significant time, effort, and resources to what he believed would be a transparent process.
The lawyer argued that such practices, if they occurred, would weaken confidence in internal party democracy and discourage political participation among aspiring candidates. He maintained that credible primaries are essential to sustaining trust in the democratic process.
Beyond the issue of candidate selection, Okonkwo also expressed concerns about the state of opposition politics in Nigeria. He contended that internal disagreements, poor transparency, and organizational challenges have hindered efforts to build a strong and united alternative political platform.
His remarks formed part of a broader discussion on governance, security, and political reform during the television interview. The allegations have attracted public attention because they relate to the credibility of party primaries, a key component of Nigeria’s electoral system. As of the time of the interview, the claims remained Okonkwo’s account of events and were presented as part of his criticism of the Labour Party’s internal processes.