A former spokesperson of the Labour Party, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said President Bola Tinubu has given Nigerians tears and blood.

Okonkwo said this while fielding questions on Arise TV concerning the chances that he may also be swept by the gale of defection of opposition party members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former Nollywood actor said he could only return to the APC if the party fulfils a promise it made to Nigerians in 2015.

He said, "When I resigned from APC, I made it clear that I could not follow a president who is insensitive to our spirit of diversity. He chose a fellow Muslim to give us a same-faith ticket. Has that changed? I made it clear, Nigeria, being a diverse nation, anyone who does not respect our religious diversity will not respect our ethnic diversity. Have I not been proven right? If APC wants me to join the party, these are my conditions: They promised Nigerians that one naira would be one dollar. Have they done that? When they do it, let them come calling, and I will consider them."

Further speaking, Okonkwo lamented that Nigerians have been subjected to hunger and hardship under the APC.

"APC is insensitive to the people's welfare. It has punished Nigerians with hunger and hardship. The World Bank report now says Nigeria will sink further into poverty till 2027; that in Tinubu's regime, there is no hope to recover from poverty. And they gave their reasons," he said.

He added, "Look at what happened in Plateau State. More than 100 people have died, massacred by faceless people, and the President was in Paris and couldn't cut his travel short to commiserate with the people of Plateau State. Look at what happened in Rivers State. A President declared martial law and removed constitutionally elected representatives of the people. Look at what is happening in Benue State, people are dying. The things this President has given Nigerians are tears and blood. And you want to say Kenneth Okonkwo will contemplate going into such an association?"

ASA