Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has demanded N5 billion in damages and an unreserved public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements made during a television interview.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, also threatened legal action against his former spokesperson if the demands are not met within seven days.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, and signed by his lead counsel, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), Obi accused Okonkwo of making false, malicious and defamatory allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8.
According to the legal team, the comments were subsequently amplified by several media organisations and online platforms, causing serious damage to Obi’s reputation and public image.
The lawyers alleged that Okonkwo claimed during the interview that Obi, alongside leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in the South-East, directed party aspirants seeking seats in the House of Representatives to pay an additional N10 million bribe after paying the prescribed expression of interest fee.
The letter further accused Okonkwo of alleging that he possessed documentary evidence of the payments and that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room. He was also accused of warning aspirants that Obi would “scam” them, alleging that the former governor collected money from Nigerians in the diaspora and linking him to criminal activities involving some party leaders.
Obi’s legal team argued that the allegations portrayed their client as a person involved in bribery, extortion, fraud, conspiracy and other criminal acts.
The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, and by necessary implication, falsely and maliciously represent our client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money; who is a fraudster, a scammer and a dishonest political actor; and who, in concert with others, is engaged in criminal conspiracy and is actively perpetuating criminality,” the letter stated.
The lawyers described the claims as false, baseless, malicious and reckless, insisting that they went beyond political criticism and amounted to a direct attack on Obi’s character and integrity.
Among the demands made by Obi are the immediate withdrawal of the statements, publication of an unequivocal and unreserved apology with equal or greater prominence than the original allegations, payment of N5 billion as general, aggravated and exemplary damages, and a written undertaking that Okonkwo would refrain from making further defamatory statements against him.
The legal team warned that failure to comply with the demands within seven days would leave Obi with no option but to seek redress in court, including claims for damages, injunctions, retraction of the statements and legal costs.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo dismissed the demand in a statement posted on his X handle, claiming he had yet to receive or read the letter.
It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his lawyers that I should pay him N5bn. Hahaha! If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help him,” he wrote.
The former Labour Party spokesman said he would issue a formal response after reading the letter.
I will reply to the letter whenever I have the time to read it later in the day. Please send it here if you have it. It will be a shame to Peter Obi and his lawyers if they do not take this case to court. I don’t have time or patience for scammers,” he added.
Okonkwo also suggested that a court case could lead to the disclosure of information he obtained while serving as Obi’s spokesperson.
Anyone who decides to sue his former spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise,” he stated.
The latest development marks a fresh escalation in the rift between both politicians, who were once close allies during the 2023 election cycle but have since publicly disagreed over political issues and party affairs
