Peter Obi has demanded N5bn damages and threatened lawsuit over Kenneth Okonkwo’s defamatory allegations.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that 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 alleged defamatory statements made during a recent television interview.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, also threatened legal action against his former ally, warning that he could seek additional damages if the demands are not met within the stipulated period.
In a letter dated June 9, 2026, Obi’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Alex Ejesieme, accused Okonkwo of making false, malicious and defamatory allegations during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8.
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According to the lawyers, the statements were subsequently amplified by several media organisations and online platforms, causing significant reputational damage to their client.
The legal team cited comments allegedly made by Okonkwo claiming that Obi and leaders of the NDC in the South-East demanded a N10 million bribe from aspirants seeking election into the House of Representatives after payment of the party’s official expression of interest fees.
Okonkwo was also accused of alleging that documentary evidence existed to support the claims, that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room, collected funds from Nigerians abroad, and participated in activities amounting to criminal conduct.
Obi’s lawyers argued that the allegations portrayed him as a politician involved in bribery, extortion, fraud, financial misconduct and criminal conspiracy.
“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, falsely and maliciously represent our client as a person who demands and collects bribes, extorts political aspirants, engages in fraudulent conduct and participates in criminal activities,” the letter stated.
The legal team described the allegations as “false, baseless, reckless and wholly unsupported by facts,” insisting that they went beyond political criticism and constituted a direct attack on Obi’s integrity and public standing.
As part of the demands, Obi is seeking an immediate withdrawal of the statements, an unequivocal and unreserved public apology with equal or greater prominence than the original publication, and the payment of N5 billion as general, aggravated and exemplary damages.
The lawyers further demanded a written undertaking from Okonkwo pledging to refrain from making or publishing any future defamatory statements concerning Obi.
They warned that failure to comply within seven days would result in legal proceedings seeking damages, injunctive reliefs, public retractions and recovery of legal costs.
Responding to the development, Okonkwo dismissed the demand in a statement posted on his X account, claiming he had not yet reviewed the letter.
“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 money to campaign, he should ask privately, not through extortion,” Okonkwo wrote.
The former Labour Party spokesperson said he would respond formally after reading the letter and challenged Obi’s camp to proceed to court if they believed they had a valid case.
Okonkwo also suggested that any legal action could lead to the disclosure of information he acquired while serving as Obi’s spokesperson, further escalating tensions between the former political associates.
The dispute marks a dramatic deterioration in relations between Obi and Okonkwo, who were key allies during the 2023 presidential election campaign.
