Veteran Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo has resigned his membership from All Progressive Congress, APC.
Okonkwo in a letter dated 11th July 2022, said his resignation is based on the decision of the APC presidential candidate choice of running mate, which according to him, goes against what the party stands for.
Recall that the APC presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu a Muslim from the south has chosen the former Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima also a Muslim from the North as his running mate in the forthcoming presidential election.
Reacting, the actor in the letter, said such action will permanently destroy the political viability of Northern Christians in Nigeria, if allowed to stand.
Okonkwo said he joined the APC because of its Constitutional vow, adding that as a convener of the Campaign for Equity and Justice in Nigeria, he can no longer continue to lend his name to “these abnormalities in the interest of mutual peaceful co-existence, integration and progress of our beloved country, Nigeria.”
The reads in full: “Recall that we have lived up to this vow in our ward by ensuring that the Chief Imam of Army Barrack Mosque, who is a member of our ward, is carried along, as an executive member of our ward and his input carried along in all we do, under my leadership of the ward.
“Those ideals are now alien to the APC, with their unfortunate decision to paint our Muslim brothers in bad light, by insinuating that the Muslims in Nigeria will not accept or vote for a Northern Christian as Vice-President to pair with a Southern Muslim.
“If Muslims could vote voluntarily for Southern Christian Presidents, it is then a fallacy to insinuate that they cannot accept a Northern Christian Vice-President.
“This will permanently destroy the political viability of Northern Christians in Nigeria, if allowed to stand. This is in addition to their failure to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, which should be their primary responsibility. The economy is also in tatters.
“Being the convener of the Campaign for Equity and Justice in Nigeria, and as a former member of APC Presidential Campaign Council, which resisted same-
religion Presidential ticket in the past, I can no longer continue to lend my name to these abnormalities in the interest of mutual peaceful co-existence, integration and progress of our beloved country, Nigeria.
“I, therefore, resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress to enable me focus on building the Nigeria of our dream with the motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.
“Please accept the assurances of my warmest regards and best wishes.
