Speaking during a television interview on Sunday, September 27, 2026, Okonkwo reflected on comments he made following reports that a son of President Bola Tinubu had reportedly worn a wristwatch said to be worth about ₦135 million.
💬 Okonkwo recalled his earlier reaction
According to Okonkwo, the report prompted him to publicly compare the reported lifestyle with what he believed would be associated with the family of former presidential candidate Peter Obi.
He said that, at the time, he had stated that he did not believe anyone from Peter Obi's family would wear an item of such value while many Nigerians were experiencing poverty and economic hardship.
Okonkwo said he was sufficiently confident in his position at the time to publicly stake his reputation on the claim.
However, during the recent interview, he questioned whether he could still make the same statement today.
“Now, let me tell you because I was misled. Hold on. There was a time they figured out that Tinubu's son was wearing a watch up to N135 million. I ran out on television, and I said nobody from Peter Obi's family can ever wear such a thing when people are dying in poverty. I stick my reputation on it. Can I still say that today?”
🔄 Why Okonkwo reconsidered his position
Okonkwo suggested that the information or circumstances surrounding his original statement had subsequently changed.
He indicated that what he believed at the time may have been influenced by information that he later came to question, prompting him to reconsider whether he could confidently repeat his earlier claim.
His comments therefore focused not only on the reported value of the watch but also on the reliability of information used when making public political statements.
⚖️ A wider conversation about political lifestyles
The remarks touch on a broader debate in Nigeria about the lifestyles of politicians and their families, particularly when such discussions are compared with the economic difficulties faced by ordinary citizens.
Okonkwo's latest comments also highlight how political statements made publicly can later be revisited when new information or circumstances emerge.
🎥 Watch the interview
The relevant portion of Kenneth Okonkwo's interview can be viewed from 6:57 to 7:30, where he discusses his earlier statement and why he now questions whether he can make the same claim.
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Note: The reported ₦135 million value of the watch is presented here as part of Kenneth Okonkwo's recollection of the earlier report and is not independently verified in this article.