A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has released what he describes as evidence to back his allegations of bribery involving the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi.
Okonkwo had earlier alleged that Obi and some leaders of the NDC in the South-East collected ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants and ₦20 million from senatorial aspirants during the party’s primary election process.
According to him, one of the aspirants, Obunike Ohaegbu, provided details of the alleged payments, including receipts, which prompted him to make the claims public.
The allegations have since sparked a legal battle, with Obi’s legal team demanding ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology from Okonkwo over what they described as defamatory statements.
In response, Okonkwo on Wednesday published screenshots of what he claimed were WhatsApp conversations between himself and Ohaegbu. He said the chats support his allegations and suggest that Obi played a central role in the compilation of candidates’ lists for the party.
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According to Okonkwo, Ohaegbu claimed that when aspirants questioned party officials about the payments, they were told that the funds were authorised by Peter Obi and South-East caucus leaders.
In one of the messages shared, Ohaegbu allegedly expressed disappointment with the NDC’s primary process, arguing that aspirants in Anambra State were never invited to consensus meetings despite being encouraged to participate fully in the primaries.
He questioned how candidates were eventually selected if no consultations or agreements were reached among aspirants, suggesting that candidate lists may have been prepared outside the official primary process.
Okonkwo defended his decision to publicise the allegations, insisting that he had a responsibility as a lawyer and citizen to expose any wrongdoing brought to his attention.
“Let me make it clear that as a citizen and a lawyer, I have a duty to disclose every crime against the state that comes within my knowledge,” he said.
He added that no individual should be allowed to exploit citizens or political aspirants without being challenged.
The development marks the latest chapter in the growing rift between Okonkwo and Obi, who were once political allies before parting ways following Obi’s defection from the ADC to the NDC.
While Obi’s legal team maintains that the allegations are false and defamatory, Okonkwo has insisted he is prepared to defend his claims if the matter proceeds to court.
