Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has threatened to sue Kenneth Okonkwo, a former ally and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain for N5 billion over alleged defamatory remarks made during a television interview.
Obi, through Alex Ejesieme (SAN), his lawyer issued a pre-action notice accusing Okonkwo of making false allegations that portrayed him as corrupt and involved in unethical political practices.
The dispute stems from comments made by Okonkwo on a television programme, where he alleged that Obi and members of the NDC South-East caucus demanded N10 million from house of representatives aspirants seeking party tickets.
Okonkwo claimed that an aspirant from Anambra State informed him that candidates were asked to pay the money but were later directed to participate in primaries rather than being handed tickets.
He also alleged that Obi influenced the selection of candidates for various constituencies.
However, the aspirant at the centre of the controversy, Obunike Ohaegbu, has publicly denied making the allegations attributed to him.
Speaking during a separate television appearance, Ohaegbu said: “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 further rejected claims that he accused the NDC South-East caucus of bribery or that Obi personally prepared candidate lists.
“What I said is that there was an allegation that the list had been prepared in Johnwood. I didn’t mention names,” Ohaegbu stated.
In the legal notice, Obi described Okonkwo’s statements as false and damaging, arguing that they portrayed him as a bribe collector, fraudster and dishonest political actor.
“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,” the letter stated.
Obi’s legal team demanded that Okonkwo retract the statements and publish an apology on the same television platform where the allegations were made, as well as on all his social media platforms.
The former Anambra governor is also seeking N5 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages for what he described as injury to his reputation.
The notice further requested a written undertaking from Okonkwo, assuring that similar allegations would not be repeated.
Obi warned that failure to comply within seven days would leave him 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 shall be left with no option than to seek legal redress against you without further recourse to you,” the letter added.
As of the time of filing this report, Okonkwo had not publicly responded to the legal threat.
