Veteran Nollywood actor and former Labour Party chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, launched a blistering critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a heated exchange with journalist and former presidential aide Laolu Akande on Inside Sources aired Friday on Channels Television.
While the conversation was themed as part of a series on the two year anniversary of the Tinubu Presidency, the guest and the host differed majorly on two areas on the show: the President’s political trajectory since 2003 and the President’s attitude to the idea of State Police.
Okonkwo, who served as spokesperson for the Labour Party’s presidential campaign in the 2023 general elections, did not mince words in describing Tinubu as “inconsistent politician” who lacks genuine commitment to core reforms, particularly the long-demanded establishment of state police.
“People say he’s consistent. That’s a white lie,” Okonkwo argued, noting that Tinubu’s political trajectory has been defined more by opportunism than principle.
Tracing Tinubu’s shifting allegiances from 1999 to 2015, he accused the president of betraying his original political base—Alliance for Democracy (AD) and its Afenifere leaders—by supporting presidential candidates across party lines whenever it suited his interests.
“From 1999 to 2015, in five election cycles, he never backed the same party or candidate twice. He moved from AD to AC to backing PDP, then forming APC. That’s not consistency; that’s political expediency,” he said.
However, Akande gave a different reading by offering historical context for Tinubu’s political decisions.
“The major figures in AD moved into AC. It was a natural evolution. In 2003, there was supposed to be an understanding between AD governors in the South-West and President Obasanjo. Obasanjo outplayed five of them—Osoba, Adesina, Akande, Adebayo, Adefarati—except Tinubu. AD was crushed, and most of its leaders regrouped under AC.”
Akande continued, “I’ve criticized this administration publicly, but I will give President Tinubu this credit—he stuck with his political family. Even when APC won in 2015 and marginalized him, he didn’t jump ship.”
On security, Okonkwo questioned Tinubu’s sincerity regarding the creation of state police. He pointed out that the president, who once championed the cause as Lagos governor alongside allies like Babatunde Fashola, has remained silent now that he possesses the executive power to drive constitutional change.
“He got the National Assembly to bring back the old national anthem overnight. He implemented tax reforms in record time. So why is he dragging his feet on state police? It’s simple: he doesn’t want it,” Okonkwo said.
Akande again countered, “The national anthem issue is far less complicated than state police. But you are right, Tinubu has shown leadership on tax reform. I believe he still advocates for state police. I would be utterly disappointed if four years pass and we don’t see it happen.”
Okonkwo also slammed the administration’s overall handling of the country’s security crisis, referencing warnings by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum about Boko Haram’s resurgence due to misallocation of military resources.
“This government has failed in its two primary duties—security and welfare. Hunger is ravaging Nigerians. The World Bank has reported that 3.6% more people are falling into extreme poverty, and by 2027, 56% of Nigerians could be living in abject poverty,” Okonkwo warned.
He noted growing dissatisfaction among Tinubu’s early supporters, particularly in the North, where even Islamic clerics who once defended the Muslim-Muslim ticket have reportedly withdrawn their support. Discontent is also spreading in the South-West, with Okonkwo referencing the now-viral cry of “Ebi n pa wa” (We are hungry).
Drawing a sharp contrast between JAMB Registrar Prof. Ishaq Oloyede and INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Okonkwo praised Oloyede for handling exam controversies with transparency while condemning Yakubu’s silence on electoral irregularities, especially during the 2023 general elections.
“In Yakubu, we saw the height of dishonour. In Oloyede, we saw accountability. That’s the difference between leadership and deceit,” he said. Concluding his remarks, Okonkwo declared that the Tinubu administration has already lost the confidence of the people, including core APC loyalists.
“Even APC insiders admit it—this is a one-term presidency. Nigerians are perishing under this regime. The people have weighed this government on a scale and found it wanting,” he declared.
