The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over what he described as defamatory statements made during a television interview.
Obi, through his legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alex Ejesieme, accused Okonkwo of making false and damaging allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026. The remarks were subsequently circulated across various media platforms.
According to the legal letter dated June 9, Obi’s lawyers alleged that Okonkwo accused him and leaders of the NDC in the South-East of demanding bribes from aspirants seeking election into the House of Representatives. The allegations included claims that aspirants were required to pay an additional N10 million after purchasing nomination forms, and that documentary evidence existed to support the accusation.
The legal team further alleged that Okonkwo claimed Obi personally compiled the party’s candidate list from a hotel room, collected funds from Nigerians abroad, and was involved in activities amounting to fraud and criminal conspiracy.
Obi’s lawyers described the claims as false, malicious and reckless, arguing that they portrayed the former governor as dishonest, corrupt and involved in criminal conduct. They insisted that the statements had seriously damaged his reputation and public standing.
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As part of their demands, the lawyers asked Okonkwo to withdraw the statements, publish an unreserved apology with the same level of publicity as the original allegations, pay N5 billion in damages, and provide a written undertaking not to make similar claims in the future.
The legal team warned that failure to comply within seven days would result in legal action, including claims for damages, injunctive reliefs and other remedies.
Reacting to the development, Okonkwo dismissed the demand in a statement posted on his X account, describing Obi’s action as an attempt at extortion.
“It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from Peter Obi and his lawyers demanding N5 billion. If Peter Obi is looking for campaign funds, he should ask privately, not through extortion,” he wrote.
The former NDC spokesperson stated that he had not yet reviewed the letter and promised to respond formally after reading it. He also challenged Obi to proceed with legal action, suggesting that a court case could expose more information from his time as the politician’s spokesperson.
The dispute marks a new chapter in the growing rift between Obi and Okonkwo, who were previously political allies before their relationship deteriorated in recent months.
