Achike Udenwa has demanded N5bn damages and apology from Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamation.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, has demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory comments made during a television interview.
The demand was contained in a three-page letter dated June 11, 2026, and signed by Udenwa’s counsel, Chief Soronnadi Njoku (SAN).
According to the letter, Okonkwo allegedly made statements during a live television programme that portrayed the former governor as someone who unlawfully obtained money from political aspirants through coercion and intimidation.
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Udenwa’s legal team argued that the comments were broadcast nationally and internationally before being widely circulated by various media organisations and online platforms, causing significant damage to his reputation.
“Your defamatory statement against him, accusing him of illegally securing money from aspirants by compulsion and violence, has greatly injured our client’s credit and reputation and portrayed him as a common criminal who abuses his position for personal monetary gains,” the letter stated.
The controversy stems from remarks allegedly made by Okonkwo during a Channels Television interview on June 8, 2026, where he accused leaders of the South-East caucus of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of extorting aspirants seeking elective positions within the party.
During the interview, Okonkwo reportedly named Udenwa, Peter Obi, Onyema Ugochukwu, and other South-East leaders, alleging that they were involved in collecting money from aspirants.
He further claimed that one of the aspirants, Obunike Ohaegbu, had provided him with details and evidence of the alleged payments.
In response, Udenwa has demanded that Okonkwo issue a public retraction and apology within seven days of receiving the letter.
The former governor wants the apology published in five national newspapers and aired during prime-time programming on Channels Television.
“We hereby give you seven days from the date of this letter to write a strongly worded letter of apology, published in five national dailies and aired on Channels Television, clearly retracting the publication and undertaking never to defame him again,” the letter added.
In addition to the apology, Udenwa is seeking N5 billion as compensation for the alleged injury caused to his reputation.
The letter further warned that legal proceedings would be instituted at the appropriate High Court in Imo State if the demands are not met within the stipulated timeframe.
The development comes shortly after NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi also demanded N5 billion in damages and a public apology from Okonkwo over similar allegations.
Obi, through his legal representatives, threatened legal action and indicated that higher damages could be sought if the demands were ignored.
However, Okonkwo has dismissed the claims against him. In a statement posted on his X account, the actor-turned-politician shared what he described as WhatsApp conversations between himself and Ohaegbu, which he said support his allegations regarding the party’s primary election process.
Okonkwo previously served as a spokesperson for Peter Obi before both politicians parted ways.
The dispute is expected to intensify as the parties weigh their legal options in the coming days.
