Veteran Nollywood actor and lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo has sparked public discussion with his bold comments about the political scene in Rivers State, describing it as unpredictable and constantly changing during a recent interview.
Okonkwo made it clear that he is not a member of Nigeria’s two main political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or the All Progressives Congress (APC). He said this neutrality gives him a more objective view of political events.
“I’m not a member of the PDP, I’m not a member of APC. Rivers State is purely transgenderic; they are political transgenders there,” Okonkwo said, using strong language to highlight what he sees as the frequent changes in political loyalty among the state’s leaders.
His words quickly attracted attention, but his main point was about how politicians in Rivers State often switch parties or change their political stance based on convenience rather than strong beliefs or long-term commitment. This, he said, causes confusion for voters and others involved in politics.
Okonkwo added, “I don’t know whether they are APC, I don’t know whether they are male or female. That’s what they are doing in Rivers State.” This statement reflects his view that politicians blur party lines and change affiliations to suit their immediate needs instead of sticking to a clear political identity.
Political experts note that Rivers State has a history of politicians frequently changing parties, sometimes even during the same election cycle, depending on political opportunities. Okonkwo’s description of the state as “political transgenderic” is seen as an exaggeration meant to draw attention to this fluid and opportunistic political behavior.
He also said that being outside the major parties allows him to speak openly about these trends without bias. Okonkwo suggested that voters, party members, and political observers must be aware of this unpredictability when trying to understand the state’s politics.
Many see Okonkwo’s comments as both a criticism and a warning: the lack of steady political direction in Rivers State could hurt long-term development, weaken governance, and make it harder to hold leaders accountable.
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