A legal dispute is brewing between former Labour Party ally Kenneth Okonkwo and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi, following allegations of defamation arising from a recent television interview.
Obi, through his lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), has demanded ₦5 billion in damages from the actor-turned-politician over comments made during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026.
In a letter dated June 9, Obi’s legal team accused Okonkwo of making what it described as false, malicious and damaging statements capable of tarnishing the former Anambra State governor’s reputation.
The letter alleged that Okonkwo claimed Obi and leaders of the NDC in the South-East demanded ₦10 million from aspirants seeking House of Representatives tickets after they had already paid the party’s official expression of interest fee.
According to Obi’s lawyers, Okonkwo also alleged that there was documentary evidence, including receipts, to support the claim. The legal team further accused him of making remarks suggesting that Obi personally compiled candidate lists from a hotel room and was involved in questionable financial dealings.
The lawyers said the statements portrayed Obi as someone involved in bribery, fraud, extortion and criminal conspiracy, allegations they insist are entirely unfounded.
“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, and by necessary implication, falsely and maliciously represent our Client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money,” the letter stated.
Obi’s legal team argued that the comments exceeded the boundaries of legitimate political criticism and amounted to a direct attack on the former presidential candidate’s integrity and public image.
“Your words were not mere political commentary. They crossed the permissible bounds of fair comment and constituted a direct assault on our Client’s person, integrity, image and reputation,” the letter added.
As part of its demands, Obi’s legal team is seeking an immediate withdrawal of the statements, a public apology and publication of the apology through the same media channels where the comments were disseminated, including television and social media platforms.
The former Anambra governor is also demanding ₦5 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages, alongside a written undertaking that no similar statements will be made in the future.
The letter warned that if the demands are not met within seven days, Obi will proceed with legal action, including claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retraction and the recovery of legal costs.
The latest development marks a significant escalation in tensions between Obi and Okonkwo, who were once political allies during the 2023 presidential campaign but have since found themselves on opposing sides of internal political disputes.
As of the time of filing this report, Kenneth Okonkwo had not publicly responded to the legal demand.
