Peter Obi Threatens N5bn Defamation Lawsuit Against Kenneth Okonkwo

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.