Kenneth Okonkwo Defends Atiku Over Financial Claims, Cites US Senate Investigation

Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, has defended the former Vice President against allegations surrounding financial transactions involving his family.

According to Arise TV from 23:24 on Thursday, September 23, 2026, Okonkwo addressed the issue during a television interview while discussing documents from the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.

During the interview, Okonkwo displayed a document which he identified as the basis for his response to the allegations.

“This is the evidence. This was what they were quoting. He said, this is the book. I’m sure they have never seen it in their lives. This is America Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations,” he said.

Turning to financial transfers involving Atiku’s wife, Okonkwo argued that the US investigation did not establish wrongdoing by the former Vice President.

“All those money that were transferred to Atiku’s wife, we are detailed here, and America said they can’t find any evidence of culpability,” Okonkwo stated.

He further argued that the document supported Atiku’s position and claimed the allegations were being used to damage the former Vice President politically.

“They said establish his innocence and said they want to ruin his political career,” he added.

Okonkwo also pointed to a $1.7 million transfer he said Atiku made to his wife in 2002, noting that it occurred before the $500,000 payment that has featured in the controversy.

“And that’s the meaning of this $1.7 million Atiku sent to the wife in 2002, before even the $ as part of an500,000,” he said.

The U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations published a 2010 staff report concerning Abubakar as part of an investigation into efforts to keep foreign corruption out of the United States.

Okonkwo’s interpretation of the report and his claims about its findings represent his position as Atiku’s campaign spokesperson. His comments come amid political debate over allegations involving the former Vice President as he prepares for the 2027 presidential election.