From ally to legal target: Peter Obi demands N5bn and apology from former spokesperson Okonkwo.
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from Kehttps://westtrybe.com/a-vote-for-obi-is-a-vote-for-tinubu-kenneth-okonkwo-explains-why/nneth Okonkwo for allegedly defamatory remarks made on June 8, 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program.
Obi accuses Okonkwo through his lawyers, led by Alex Ejesieme (SAN), of making demeaning and false allegations like; Obi personally assembled the party’s candidate list from a hotel room, collected money from Nigerians overseas, demanded N10 million bribes from House of Representatives candidates in addition to official fees, and engaged in illegal activities with other NDC leaders.
Obi’s legal team stated that the allegations depicted their client as a fraudster, an extortionist and a criminal conspirator, and said the statements had gone far beyond political commentary and amounted to a direct attack on his reputation and standing in the public eye. The lawyers gave Okonkwo an ultimatum to retract the statements within seven days the letter was received, publish an unreserved apology with equal or greater prominence than the original broadcast, pay the N5 billion demanded and give a written undertaking to refrain from making any further defamatory remarks.
Failure to comply, the letter warned, would leave Obi no choice but to pursue full legal redress including injunctive relief and legal costs.
Okonkwo responded dismissively on his X handle, mocking the demand and suggesting Obi was seeking money for his campaign. He said he had not yet read the letter but would respond formally later, adding that it would be a “shame” if Obi’s team did not follow through with court action. He also issued a pointed warning, suggesting that any lawsuit could lead to the disclosure of sensitive information he acquired during his time as Obi’s spokesperson — a remark widely interpreted as a threat of potential counter-revelations.
