Okonkwo Reacts to Peter Obi’s ₦5bn Lawsuit Threat, Says ‘He’s Looking for Campaign Funds’

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) , Kenneth Okonkwo, has dismissed the N5 billion lawsuit threat issued against him by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) , Peter Obi, over alleged defamation. Okonkwo, who served as a spokesperson for Obi during the 2023 presidential campaign when both were members of the Labour Party, made his position known in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday morning. NewsTrends.ng earlier reported that Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, had threatened to file a N5 billion lawsuit against Mr Okonkwo if he fails to withdraw his allegations against him, pay N5 billion as compensation and tender public apology within seven days. The former governor had, in his pre-action letter to Mr Okonkwo on Tuesday, claimed the ADC chieftain defamed him by alleging that he defrauded House of Representatives aspirants of N10 million each and went ahead to write a list of candidates for various federal constituencies in the South-east.

In his first public response on Wednesday morning, Mr Okonkwo laughed off Mr Obi’s lawsuit threat. In a post on his verified X handle, the ADC chieftain mocked Mr Obi, saying the NDC presidential candidate should have approached him for financial assistance if he needed funds for his campaigns rather than allegedly embarking on “extortion.” “It has been brought to my notice that there is a letter circulating online from the hypocrite, Peter Obi, and his Lawyers that I should pay him N5b. Hahaha!” he wrote. “If Peter Obi is looking for money to campaign, he should privately ask me for assistance, not come from extortion, and I will help him.” The former Labour Party chieftain claimed that he personally incurred expenses while serving as Obi’s spokesperson during the 2023 election campaign. “I did so when I was his Spokesperson paying for my flight tickets and booking for my hotel accommodation to some of our campaigns,” he said.

Okonkwo also warned that Obi’s lawyers should take responsibility for any information that could emerge if the dispute proceeds to court. He suggested that he possesses sensitive information obtained while serving as Obi’s spokesperson but has refrained from making it public out of principle. “Let me sound this note of warning, the Lawyers must take responsibility for any information I may have to divulge, which I acquired as a spokesperson, but which by my conscience I have not shared with anyone,” he stated. The former spokesperson said although his principle is that he does not use “any confidential information” he shared with people against them, Mr Obi might compel him to do so. “Anyone who decides to sue his former spokesperson for defamation is indeed very unwise,” he said of Mr Obi’s threat to sue him.

READ ALSO:

• US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran After Apache Helicopter Downing
• Oyo School Abduction: IGP Deploys DIGs, Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Unregistered Vehicles
• 12 Killed, Nine Injured in Deadly South Africa Mass Shooting

Mr Okonkwo then challenged Mr Obi to sue him even as he claimed he had not read the letter and would respond after doing so later on Wednesday. “I will reply to the letter whenever I have the time to read it later in the day. Please send it here if you have it. It will be a shame to Peter Obi and his lawyers if they do not take this case to court,” he said in the X post. The ADC chieftain again described Mr Obi as a “hypocrite” and “a scammer” despite the pre-action letter, adding, “I don’t have time or patience for scammers.”

A House of Representatives aspirant in the NDC from Anambra State, Obunike Ohaegbu, has denied telling Mr Okonkwo that Mr Obi scammed him of N10 million or wrote list of candidates in a hotel room. But in the X post, Mr Okonkwo uploaded a screenshot of his WhatsApp chats with Mr Ohaegbu as evidence of the allegation against Mr Obi. However, in the WhatsApp chat, an individual he claimed to be Mr Ohaegbu sent him a message that “…I am saying that I was scammed and the party blames PO.” The chat did not show the individual alleging that Mr Obi or the South-east NDC caucus collected N10 million bribe from him or any other aspirant. Reacting to the post, an X user, Michael Adewuyi, commented, apparently disputing Mr Okonkwo’s claims: “Even though I am not an NDC supporter, you are a big Liar! What is in those text messages exchange is not what you have been saying. ‘The aspirant said he was scammed and the party blames PO’ while you have been saying that the aspirant said PO scammed him. You are a very dishonest individual. What a shame!”

Mr Okonkwo also uploaded on the microblogging platform a bank transaction receipt of N10 million reportedly forwarded to him by Mr Ohaegbu as evidence of the extortion. However, NewsTrends.ng observed that the receipt showed that the payment was made to the official NDC bank account, not Mr Obi’s account or NDC South-east caucus’s account as he earlier claimed. Some X users faulted him for uploading weak evidence, with many saying the receipt looked like payment for NDC expression of interest form. “Okonkwo should have his time in court or apologise to Peter Obi. What he (Okonkwo) presented as evidence of payment to Obi is just payment for party nomination,” an X user (@HAHayatu) wrote.

READ ALSO:

• Okpebholo: There Is No Vacancy in Aso Rock Despite Rising Insecurity
• Blessing CEO Faces Fresh N69.1 Million Fraud Charge, Remanded in EFCC Custody
• Abductions, Killings Are Sponsored to Undermine Tinubu’s Administration – Akpabio

The legal threat stems from Okonkwo’s allegations during his Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” appearance on Monday, June 8, 2026, where he claimed that House of Representatives aspirants were coerced into paying a N10 million bribe under Obi’s watch, with Senate aspirants allegedly asked to pay N20 million. Obi’s legal team, led by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) , outlined six specific defamatory statements in their pre-litigation letter, including that Okonkwo alleged that Obi personally wrote candidate lists at the Johnwood Hotel in Abuja, demanded and collected bribes, extorted and swindled political aspirants, is a fraudster and scammer, and travels abroad to collect money from people. The legal team argued that these statements have caused “irreparable damage” to Obi’s reputation as a man of integrity. The letter demanded that Okonkwo withdraw the statements, issue an “unequivocal and unreserved” public apology across all platforms, provide a written undertaking to cease further defamatory statements, and pay N5 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages.

Mr Ohaegbu, who was the NDC candidate for the Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, denied telling Mr Okonkwo that Mr Obi scammed him. In a telephone interview, Mr Ohaegbu stated: “I never told Kenneth Okonkwo that Peter Obi asked me to pay N10 million. I never told him that Peter Obi wrote any list in any hotel. What I told him was that there were allegations that some people were writing lists in hotels, but I never mentioned Peter Obi’s name.” This direct contradiction raises serious questions about the authenticity of Okonkwo’s claims and whether the WhatsApp screenshots have been taken out of context or selectively edited to misrepresent the aspirant’s position.

The latest exchange marks a complete breakdown of the former alliance between the two politicians who worked closely during the 2023 presidential election. Following political realignments and his departure from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Okonkwo has frequently criticized Obi’s political stability and leadership choices ahead of the 2027 election cycle. As of press time, Obi’s legal team has not issued any further statement regarding Okonkwo’s response. The seven-day ultimatum given to Okonkwo to comply with the demands is still running, and it remains to be seen whether Obi will proceed with the lawsuit or if both parties will reach an out-of-court settlement. Legal analysts note that proving defamation requires showing that Okonkwo’s statements were false, malicious, and caused actual damage. However, if Okonkwo can prove his evidence is authentic, the defense of justification (truth) could apply in court.

Okonkwo Reacts to Peter Obi’s ₦5bn Lawsuit Threat, Says ‘He’s Looking for Campaign Funds’

Okpebholo: There Is No Vacancy in Aso Rock Despite Rising Insecurity

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has alleged that certain individuals are sponsoring insecurity in parts of Nigeria in a bid to distract President Bola Tinubu and undermine his administration.

Okpebholo made the remarks during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the forthcoming local government council elections in Edo South Senatorial District, where party leaders and supporters gathered to unveil candidates for the polls.

The governor claimed that recent spikes in insecurity, including cases of kidnappings and violent attacks, were not coincidental but allegedly orchestrated by political opponents seeking to discredit the current administration.

He further declared that such actions would not yield political gain, insisting that no amount of instability would alter the political structure at the national level.

“They can even kidnap all of us—yes, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock,” he said.

Okpebholo added that promoting insecurity would not secure electoral victories for any group, warning that those behind such actions risk worsening the situation for ordinary Nigerians.

“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. What is happening today is the handiwork of the opposition,” he said.

READ ALSO:

• Blessing CEO Faces Fresh N69.1 Million Fraud Charge, Remanded in EFCC Custody
• Abductions, Killings Are Sponsored to Undermine Tinubu’s Administration – Akpabio
• NARD Issues Federal Govt 21-Day Ultimatum Over Unpaid Allowances

“They have failed. Have they not failed? Is it by kidnapping children? Then who are you going to govern? There will be nobody for you to govern. So let them give us peace so that we can rule well,” he added.

The governor also defended the performance of President Tinubu’s administration, saying the government has delivered more than its predecessors, particularly in economic reforms and infrastructure development.

He cited the removal of fuel subsidy as one of the key policies whose impact, according to him, is already visible in development projects across Edo State and other parts of the country.

Okpebholo also praised candidates who emerged from the APC primaries for the upcoming council elections, expressing confidence that their victories would contribute to the party’s broader political goals ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the state chapter of the APC was targeting strong electoral performance, including what he described as a pledge of 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the next general election.

Also speaking at the event, the Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, described the party as the only viable political platform in the state and urged candidates to consolidate on the governor’s development agenda.

He called on them to take the government’s achievements to grassroots communities and ensure wider political support across local government areas.

The event also featured the formal unveiling of APC candidates for Edo South, including Ogbeide Ihama (Senate), Dr Paddy Iyamu (Oredo Federal Constituency), and Omorede Igbinedion (Ovia Federal Constituency), among others.

The development comes amid rising political rhetoric in Edo State ahead of local government elections, with parties intensifying campaigns and making competing claims over governance performance and national political direction.

Okpebholo: There Is No Vacancy in Aso Rock Despite Rising Insecurity

Okonkwo Releases Evidence Against Peter Obi as ₦5bn Defamation Battle Looms

Renowned Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has escalated his public dispute with Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), by releasing what he describes as documentary evidence to support allegations of financial extortion during the party’s primary elections.

Bank Alert Evidence

Okonkwo insists that aspirants seeking elective positions under the NDC were compelled to make unauthorized payments to secure party tickets and has directly accused Obi of playing a central role in the alleged scheme. The allegations have triggered a fierce response from Obi’s legal team, which has issued a pre-litigation notice demanding ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology within seven days.

The controversy first erupted after Okonkwo appeared on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, where he alleged that House of Representatives aspirants were required to pay ₦10 million while Senate aspirants were asked to pay ₦20 million. He further claimed that Obi personally supervised the preparation of a list of candidates at the Johnwood Hotel in Abuja and that some of the names included on the list belonged to individuals who either lost their primary elections or did not participate in the process.

According to Okonkwo, aspirants who challenged the legitimacy of the payments were allegedly informed by party officials that the directives originated from Obi and leaders of the party’s caucus structure.

Seeking to reinforce his claims, Okonkwo released screenshots of WhatsApp conversations he allegedly had with Obunike Ohaegbu, an NDC House of Representatives aspirant for the Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency. The messages, shared on his X account, purportedly show Ohaegbu expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of the party’s primary elections and the candidate selection process.

WhatsApp Evidence 1

In one of the conversations released by Okonkwo, Ohaegbu was allegedly quoted as making highly critical remarks about Obi’s role in the process. Other excerpts purportedly referenced allegations that candidate lists were prepared outside the formal primary election structure and included names of individuals who did not emerge victorious during the exercise.

READ ALSO:

• 2027: Babachir Lawal Reveals Why He Prefers Tinubu’s ‘Devil’ to Atiku’s Presidency
• Power-Sharing Showdown: NDC Replaces Kwankwasiyya-Nominated Candidates in Kano
• Nigerian Labour Leader Dies in Geneva During International Labour Conference

Okonkwo also cited a statement from the NDC national secretariat, signed by National Secretary Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, which acknowledged that the party relied on a leadership structure associated with Peter Obi and that the primary election process in Anambra State was coordinated by Obi’s political team. Okonkwo argues that the statement supports his claims regarding Obi’s influence over the selection process.

Expanding on the alleged financial demands, Okonkwo referred to comments previously made by Senator Seriake Dickson, who noted that political aspirants are generally expected to pay only for Expression of Interest forms before primary elections. According to Okonkwo, any additional financial demands before the conclusion of the primaries would be contrary to established procedures.

He maintained that House of Representatives aspirants were allegedly asked to pay ₦10 million while Senate aspirants were required to pay ₦20 million. He further claimed that Ohaegbu informed him that when concerns were raised with party officials regarding the payments, Obi and members of his caucus were identified as those responsible for authorising the collections.

However, the allegations have been strongly disputed by Ohaegbu himself. During an appearance on Channels Television, the aspirant publicly denied ever telling Okonkwo that Peter Obi directed him to pay ₦10 million. Ohaegbu stated that while he had heard allegations about a candidate list being prepared in a hotel, he never specifically accused Obi of personally demanding money from him.

His denial has raised fresh questions about the credibility of the WhatsApp screenshots released by Okonkwo and whether the messages accurately reflect the context of their conversations.

READ ALSO:

• NRC Confirms Warri–Itakpe Train Accident, Three Passengers Dead
• Galatasaray Ask Osimhen to Help Secure Ademola Lookman Transfer
• Xenophobic: Nigeria Considers Retaliatory Action Against South Africa

Peter Obi’s legal team, led by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) of Madiba Chambers, has since responded aggressively to the allegations. In a formal pre-litigation notice, the lawyers demanded an immediate retraction of all allegedly defamatory statements, a public apology across all platforms where the claims were published, a written undertaking to refrain from making similar allegations in the future, and ₦5 billion in damages.

WhatsApp Evidence2

The legal team identified several statements they consider defamatory, including allegations that Obi wrote candidate lists at the Johnwood Hotel, organised and collected bribes from aspirants, engaged in extortion and fraud, and received funds from undisclosed sources abroad. According to the lawyers, the allegations have caused serious damage to Obi’s reputation.

Despite the legal threat, Okonkwo has remained defiant. He has publicly called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate the allegations.

The former Labour Party spokesman argued that as a lawyer and citizen, he has a responsibility to report any information suggesting criminal conduct. He insisted that anti-graft agencies should investigate the alleged transactions and determine whether aspirants were unlawfully compelled to part with money.

Legal observers say the dispute could evolve into a major courtroom battle. While Obi would need to prove that the allegations were false and damaging, Okonkwo could seek to rely on a defence of justification if he can demonstrate that his claims are substantially true.

At the same time, legal experts note that the publication of private WhatsApp conversations could raise separate privacy and evidentiary issues. Ohaegbu’s public denial of key allegations may also complicate Okonkwo’s defence if litigation proceeds.

With the seven-day deadline ticking, attention is now focused on whether Okonkwo will retract his statements or whether Peter Obi will proceed with legal action. As of the time of filing this report, neither side has shown any sign of backing down, setting the stage for what could become one of the most closely watched political and legal battles in Nigeria.

Okonkwo Releases Evidence Against Peter Obi as ₦5bn Defamation Battle Looms