The Senator representing Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh, and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Kenneth Okonkwo, have traded words over former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

MyNigeria reported that Kenneth Okonkwo recently dumped Obi's camp to pitch his tent with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Ever since his exit from Obi's camp, the former Nollywood actor has been demarketing his presidential ambition, saying that a vote for Obi will ensure President Bola Tinubu is re-elected.

Reacting, Umeh revealed that Kenneth Okonkwo's grouse is because Obi refused to release funds as demanded.

He said, "The other day, I saw Kenneth Okonkwo busy raining curses on Peter Obi. I had private discussions with him last year and warned him not to do what he is currently doing, because he would regret it, but he said he would never work with Peter Obi again, over his dead body. He said, “How can you be there? Things he is supposed to release money for us to do, he won't release money.” But since he has not been giving money, has his acceptability diminished? It has not, because people know him as someone who will do the right thing. He will spend money wisely and justly. If it's something I, Victor Umeh, will spend ₦5m to do, Obi will spend ₦500000 to do it because he will manage it. Well, Peter Obi is a different kind of politician. I have worked with him for years, and he will never give you money to vote for him. Peter Obi has said he will never engage in transactional politics or use money to buy positions to serve the people. That’s why they’re against him."

In response, Kenneth Okonkwo denied ever having any meeting with Obi's team concerning money.

He said, "Even when we were all entering the ADC, Victor Umeh said and spoke to me directly and made it clear that the only chance the Igbo people have is to align with the North, and for our brother, Peter Obi, to become Vice President to Atiku Abubakar. I told him, 'Have you said this to Peter Obi?' He said, 'Yes, but Obi is very stubborn, if you tell him anything, he will not, but we will continue to try.'

"This same Victor Umeh, anytime he sees me, he looks away, he himself confirmed we had a private discussion, he talked about money, I am very surprised, you know why? I, Kenneth Okonkwo, have never had any meeting with them about money. Let me say this, I, to the glory of God, not by my own power or might, since I was born, I have never lacked anything. Since I was born, I have never lacked anything, so I have never had any reason to ask for help or need money from anybody. And I give Glory to God because, assuming he has made me to be born by poor parents, I wouldn't be saying the things I am saying now, that's why I said all glory should go to God. Assuming he had not given me the talent, at 24, that was when I did Andy Okeke, whatever I said in Nollywood, that is what I was paid. Any hotel I wanted to stay, I was given whatever I wanted I was given, until I said I am no longer acting. Some scripts, some producers are still waiting for me. I did my last movie in 2020 in the remake of LIVING IN BONDAGE. What Victor Umeh said made me realise why, in Nollywood, those men with long red caps are used to depict evil men. That's why I am always scared when someone calls me Chief, even though I have taken a title in Igboland, Chief sounds more like thief. Many might not know the difference. A lot of people like Chief Victor Umeh sound more like Thief Victor Umeh. He may be a senator, but he is not distinguished, and I will tell you why.

"This man was the National Chairman of APGA and I tell you if there is one person he loathes, he detests, it's Peter Obi. Look at his comments on Peter Obi whilst he was in APGA. He placed a curse on Peter Obi never to find peace politically until he returns to APGA, for betraying Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu. Now, he follows him everywhere.