Two brothers battle each other over one political slot
As the 2015 general election approaches, tension now brews in Enugu North Senatorial Zone, Enugu State between two biological brothers jostling for one political position, under the same party, to represent Nsukka/ Igbo Eze South federal constituency in the House of Representative.
Saturday Vanguard gathered that the two are of one womb and natives of Echara in Nsukka local government area. One is Kenneth Okonkwo (a.k.a Andy), the famous Nollywood actor, while the other is Luke Okonkwo (a.k.a Aguma). The two were said to be locking horns for the occupation of Nsukka /Igbo-Eze South federal constituency seat at the national House of Representative under People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
According to investigation, Luke, who is Kenneth’s younger brother, had first indicated interest to vie for the seat. He had sent out his campaign posters earlier than Kenneth and other contestants, who later advised Luke to step down for his elder brother, Kenneth, for peace to reign in the the family.
In a telephone interview, the famous Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okwokwo, said there was no rift in their family over 2015 general elections, explaining that no other person in his family is running for election to the House of Representative apart from him.Rumors are however rife at the University town of Nsukka over the feud between the two brothers. It may be of interest to know that their eldest brother, Peter Okonkwo (Ohamadike), had severally contested the governorship election under different political parties from 2007 without success, and has now allegedly decided to take a shot at again in 2015 under the platform of APC.
Kenneth said he wants to change the face of the constituency for effective representation, pointing out that he will not speak for any other person from a different political party, but he remains the only one from his family that picked the PDP form for the House of Representatives for the 2015 general elections.
Mr. George Okonkwo, chairman, Nsukka Building Materials Union, who is also a brother to Kenneth and Luke, said that politics is all about interest in any given position. He confirmed it was Luke who first showed interest to contest for election into the House of representatives under PDP.
Later, Kenneth queued in for the same position under the same political party. According to George, Luke has to step down for his elder brother, Kenneth, not minding that he had distributed his posters for the 2015 race. “There is no problem in our family in connection with the way the two showed interests; we are bounded by one blood, one love and one interest.
Luke cannot battle for an elective position with his elder brother. The entire family supports the ambition of Kenneth to reposition honesty, accountability and transparency in Nsukka /Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency,” he said.
A prominent politician in Nsukka, Mr. Festus Omeje, said the emergence of the two brothers from one political party sends danger signal which shows that all may not be well in the PDP family.
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