A statement signed by National Coordinator, ADC Like-Minds, Comrade Adolphus Ude, described the appointment as another confirmation of the reputation Atiku has built over time as a talent spotter and champion of inclusive governance in the country.

ADC Like-Minds expressed appreciation to the former Vice President for finding one of its own worthy for such a key role in his 2027 presidential campaign.

According to the statement, the appointment is a recognition of Okonkwo’s positive contributions to the growth and advancement of the nation, through his active involvement in the Nigerian film/media industry and politics.

ADC Like-Minds said, “We are sincerely grateful to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for this demonstration of confidence in one of us. We thank him immensely for finding Kenneth Okonkwo worthy to serve as his spokesperson for the 2027 presidential campaign. By this well-thought-out appointment, the former Vice President has once more proved his mettle as a talent spotter.

“Atiku Abubakar is well known for discovering, mentoring and promoting exceptional talents across the country. During his tenure as the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Economic Council (NEC) under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo (May 1999-May 2007), he was known for assembling a globally acclaimed economic team for Nigeria.

“He spotted talents like Malam Nasiru El Rufai, Nuhu Ribadu, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Professor Osita Ogbu and Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, to mention but a few. That era was Nigeria’s best in economic management since 1999. The confidence of the international lenders in the economic team headed by Atiku Abubakar, led to the cancellation of Nigeria’s unsustainable $30 billion debt by the Paris Club creditors.”

The ADC group noted that some of the people discovered by Atiku have gone ahead to shape international institutions, such as the World Bank, African Development Bank (AFDB) and World Trade Organisation (WTO).

According to the group, beyond the economic realm, Atiku spotted talents in other areas, such as education, agriculture and media industries, mentoring and promoting them, until they became household names in Nigeria today.

“Malam Garba Shehu, for instance, was a journalist when Atiku discovered him and made him his media aide. He later loaned Malam Shehu to late President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 presidential campaign. Shehu eventually became the most vibrant spokesperson of the immediate past administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari.

“One thing about Atiku Abubakar is that he looks beyond tribe and creed in seeking out talents, going for them wherever they can be found, unlike his contemporaries in Nigerian politics, who cannot look beyond their own ethnic group,” the party stated.

Besides spotting talents, ADC Like-Minds described the appointment of an Igbo by Atiku as his spokesperson as another powerful testimony of his reputation as a champion of inclusion in the country.

The group noted that if Atiku has given the South East a sense of belonging in his campaign, the people of the region should expect more when he enters into Aso Rock in May 2027.

It also expressed confidence in Okonkwo’s ability to bring his wealth of experience, garnered over the years in the film/media industry and politics, to bear on the presidential campaign of the party, urging him to courageously and fearlessly go all out in marketing the ADC presidential candidate and the party’s manifesto to Nigerians.