The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has threatened legal action against former ally and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, over comments he described as false and defamatory.

In a pre-action letter signed by his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), Obi accused Okonkwo of making damaging allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Monday.

Obi and Okonkwo were previously political allies, having worked together in the Labour Party before both later moved to the ADC. Obi eventually left the party and joined the NDC.

According to the letter, the disputed comments were made during a televised interview in which Okonkwo alleged that Obi and members of the NDC South-East caucus demanded a ₦10 million bribe from House of Representatives aspirants seeking party tickets.

Okonkwo specifically claimed that an NDC House of Representatives aspirant from Anambra State, Obunike Ohaegbu, had sent him a message and payment receipt alleging that Obi collected ₦10 million from him and other aspirants.

He further alleged that after the payments were made, the aspirants were directed to participate in party primaries rather than being handed tickets as allegedly promised.

Okonkwo also claimed that Ohaegbu accused Obi of abandoning a transparent primary process and instead compiling and submitting a list of candidates for various constituencies from Johnwood Hotel in Abuja.

The ADC chieftain argued that anyone supporting the NDC and Obi was endorsing criminality, alleging that the party had been involved in the unlawful exploitation of aspirants.

However, Ohaegbu has publicly denied making the statements attributed to him.

While appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Ohaegbu stated:

“I am telling you that Peter Obi never told me to pay N10 million. I never told Kenneth Okonkwo that Peter Obi, in any way, told me to pay N10 million.”

He also denied accusing the NDC South-East caucus of demanding bribes and rejected claims that he alleged Obi personally prepared a list of candidates at Johnwood Hotel.

According to him:

“What I said is that there was an allegation that the list had been prepared in Johnwood. I didn’t mention names.”

In his response, Obi strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as false representations intended to portray him as a bribe collector, fraudster and dishonest political figure involved in criminal activities.

“These are extremely grave, damaging and reckless imputations of bribery, extortion, fraud, financial dishonesty and criminality directed at the character, integrity, reputation and public standing of my person,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor argued that the allegations were deliberately made to expose him to public ridicule, hatred and contempt while damaging his reputation.

As part of his demands, Obi asked Okonkwo to withdraw the statements and issue a public apology through Channels Television and all his social media platforms within seven days.

He also demanded the payment of ₦5 billion through his legal representatives as general, aggravated and exemplary damages for the alleged harm caused to his reputation.

Additionally, Obi requested a written undertaking from Okonkwo, assuring that similar statements would not be made or circulated in the future.

The letter warned that failure to comply within the stipulated period would leave Obi with no option but to seek legal redress.

“Take notice that should you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with the above demands within the stipulated period, our client (Peter Obi) shall be left with no option than to seek legal redress against you without further recourse to you.

“Such action shall include, but shall not be limited to, claims for general, aggravated and exemplary damages in the said sum of N5 billion and indeed such a higher sum as the court may deem fit, together with injunctive reliefs, public retraction, apology and the full cost of the proceedings.”

As of the time of reporting, Okonkwo had not publicly responded to the legal notice.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has stated that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was among the political leaders who backed the adoption of rotational presidency following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

According to Akume, the controversial cancellation of the election won by the late MKO Abiola forced political stakeholders to make difficult decisions aimed at preserving national unity and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga, Akume made the remarks on Tuesday during a World Press Conference in Abuja held as part of activities commemorating Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day anniversary.

The SGF recalled that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gathered in Kaduna under the leadership of the late Solomon Lar and Adamu Ciroma to discuss the nation’s political future, where the issue of power rotation became a major topic.

“It was a tough argument before the issue of rotational presidency was agreed on. At the end, we had to concede. We must do this.

“June 12 annulment had complicated the whole thing. It was finally agreed that we’ll be alternating between North and South.

“Atiku was one of the leaders at that meeting, which was convened by Chief Solomon Lar. He was part of that agreement,” Akume was quoted as saying.

According to him, the decision to rotate presidential power between the North and South was introduced to address the political consequences of the June 12 annulment and encourage inclusiveness and national cohesion.

Akume’s comments come amid renewed debates about power rotation ahead of the 2027 general election.

Atiku, who is from northern Nigeria and currently serves as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the 2027 election, is expected to contest against incumbent President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking a second term in office.

Tinubu, a southerner, became president in 2023 after the completion of the constitutionally permitted two-term tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Atiku has faced criticism from political opponents and the Presidency for maintaining presidential ambitions during periods when many political stakeholders argue that power should remain in the South.

Reflecting on the significance of June 12, Akume described the annulment of the election as one of the most painful moments in Nigeria’s democratic history.

“Abiola won that election round and square. That election was annulled by the military government. It was very painful because the people spoke, and they spoke freely. They made their own choice,” he said.

The SGF noted that one of the major lessons from the June 12 experience is the importance of respecting the will of the people in a democracy.

“The first lesson is that the voice of the people must always be supreme; it must be sacrosanct. That’s the beauty of democracy. We prefer the ballot to bullets,” he stated.

Akume also expressed confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission, saying the country has learned from the events of 1993 and would not allow such an annulment to happen again.

“If an election is conducted very fairly, and one wins, no problem. The actors at the Independent National Electoral Commission are not young people; they were adults when this thing happened.

“If we were to take a poll at that time, over two-thirds of Nigerians would have condemned that act of annulment,” he said.

He praised INEC officials, describing them as individuals of integrity committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic process.

“Fortunately for us, those at INEC are men of honour and integrity. They are well-read, patriotic Nigerians, and they are determined to make a difference. Never again would such happen in this country.

“You win, you win. When you lose, go back and prepare for another election. Look at the American example. President Trump lost to Joe Biden. He didn’t bring America down. He went back, prepared and came back and won. That’s the beauty of democracy,” Akume said.

The SGF further noted that Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule demonstrate the country’s commitment to democratic governance, freedom, and peaceful political participation.

“We have decided to embrace democracy. That is why, for 27 unbroken years, we have been enjoying this freedom in a democratic setting. We love the values and the morals of democracy, and there is no system that is as beautiful as democracy,” he said.

He also highlighted freedom of expression as one of democracy’s key benefits.

“It is under a democratic system that you can insult your president and insult anybody and still go to bed, and you don’t receive a midnight knock on your door. Try it under a totalitarian regime,” he stated.

Akume concluded by urging political actors to uphold democratic principles, respect election outcomes, and continue working towards strengthening Nigeria’s democratic culture and institutions.