Defamation: Peter Obi Files ₦8 Billion Lawsuit Against Kenneth Okonkwo

• Former Labour Party presidential candidate demands damages over claims he defrauded House of Representatives aspirants

Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has filed an ₦8 billion defamation lawsuit against his former spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, over allegations made during a television interview that Mr. Obi described as false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation. The suit, filed at the Onitsha Judicial Division of the Anambra State High Court and marked O/229/26, follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to Okonkwo to retract the statements, issue a public apology, and pay compensation.

The dispute stems from comments Okonkwo made during an appearance on Channels Television on June 8, 2026, where he alleged that Obi demanded ₦10 million bribes from House of Representatives aspirants and personally compiled the list of candidates for federal constituencies in the South-East. Okonkwo, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) , repeated the allegations on social media, prompting Obi’s legal team to take action. According to court documents, Obi issued a pre-action notice dated June 9, 2026, through his lawyer, Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) , demanding a retraction, apology, and ₦5 billion in compensation. However, in a response dated June 16, 2026, Okonkwo’s lawyer, V.I. Uma, rejected the demands, with Okonkwo maintaining that he stood by his allegations.

In the writ of summons dated June 25, 2026, Obi is seeking a total of ₦8 billion in damages, structured as follows: ₦5 billion for general damages, cited as injury to his reputation, integrity, political standing, and goodwill; ₦2 billion for aggravated damages, due to the continued repetition and wide circulation of the allegations after receiving the pre-action notice; and ₦1 billion for exemplary damages, for what Obi describes as the deliberate amplification and repetition of the claims on social media.

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Beyond monetary compensation, Obi is asking the court for several additional orders. He seeks an order for Okonkwo to publish a full, unreserved, and unequivocal apology within seven days of judgment on Channels Television and its YouTube platform, all his social media accounts, and in three national newspapers. He is also asking the court to direct Okonkwo to delete all alleged defamatory publications from his social media platforms and websites under his control. Furthermore, the suit seeks a perpetual injunction from the court to restrain Okonkwo and his agents from making or circulating similar statements against Obi in the future. The suit also seeks the cost of the action and 10% annual post-judgment interest on any monetary award.

A central aspect of the dispute involves Obunike Ohaegbu, a House of Representatives aspirant whom Okonkwo claimed had informed him of the alleged bribery. However, Ohaegbu publicly denied Okonkwo’s claims during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on June 9, 2026. He stated clearly that Peter Obi never told him to pay ₦10 million and that he never told Kenneth Okonkwo that Peter Obi, in any way, told him to pay ₦10 million. He also denied accusing the NDC South-East caucus of bribery or claiming that Obi compiled candidates’ names at a hotel in Abuja.

Okonkwo has remained defiant, publicly dismissing the initial ₦5 billion threat. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he suggested Obi should privately ask him for assistance for his campaign rather than come from extortion. He also warned that legal action would be unwise as he holds confidential information from his time as Obi’s spokesperson. The political background between the two men is significant, as Obi and Okonkwo were once close allies in the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 presidential campaign, where Okonkwo served as Obi’s spokesperson. Both later moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) , but Obi subsequently left for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) , where he emerged as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate. Since then, Okonkwo has become one of Obi’s most vocal critics.

The court has authorized service of the writ on Okonkwo in Enugu State, where he resides, and he has been given 42 days to enter an appearance in court. The case is expected to be a significant legal test of political speech and defamation in Nigeria’s increasingly polarized political landscape.

Defamation: Peter Obi Files ₦8 Billion Lawsuit Against Kenneth Okonkwo

INEC By-Elections: APC Sweeps Four States, PDP Holds Rivers South-East Seat

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the winners of five of the six 2026 by-elections, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerging as the biggest winner after securing victories in Enugu, Ondo, Kano and Kebbi, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.

The by-elections, held on Saturday, were conducted to fill vacant seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly created by the deaths, resignation and appointment of former lawmakers. However, the result of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District election is still being awaited as collation continues.

In Enugu State, the APC recorded a major breakthrough as Ikeje Asogwa won the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election with 162,360 votes. His closest challenger, PDP candidate Chief Nestor Ezeme, polled 9,299 votes. The election was held to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator Okey Ezea, who passed away on November 18, 2025, at the age of 62.

The PDP, however, successfully defended its stronghold in Rivers State. Its candidate, Olaka Nwogu, secured 47,961 votes to defeat APC candidate Osar Erewari, who garnered 1,647 votes, thereby retaining the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat. The by-election followed the death of Senator Barry Mpigi earlier this year.

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In Ondo State, APC candidate Dayo Faduyile cruised to victory in the Ondo South Senatorial District by-election with 68,474 votes, defeating Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), who received 1,411 votes. The senatorial seat became vacant after former senator Jimoh Ibrahim was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

The ruling party also strengthened its representation in the House of Representatives as Rabiu Shuaibu won the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency by-election in Kano State. Shuaibu polled 35,356 votes, comfortably ahead of Lawal Garba-Haruna of the APM, who secured 268 votes, while Labour Party candidate Abubakar Yahaya-Muhammad received 98 votes. The poll was conducted following the death of former lawmaker Muhammad Danjuma-Hassan of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

In Kebbi State, the APC continued its winning streak with Rabiu Garba Aiki emerging victorious in the Zuru State Constituency by-election into the State House of Assembly. Aiki polled 4,887 votes, defeating Labour Party candidate Aliyu Galadima Muhammad, who scored 168 votes. The election was held to replace former Speaker Muhammad Usman Zuru, whose death created the vacancy.

Meanwhile, INEC has yet to announce the outcome of the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election. Voting took place across Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga and Wamba Local Government Areas, where voters are electing a successor to late Senator Godiya Akwashiki, who died after a prolonged illness.

Full List of Declared Winners

• Enugu North Senatorial District: Ikeje Asogwa (APC) – 162,360 votes
• Rivers South-East Senatorial District: Olaka Nwogu (PDP) – 47,961 votes
• Ondo South Senatorial District: Dayo Faduyile (APC) – 68,474 votes
• Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency, Kano: Rabiu Shuaibu (APC) – 35,356 votes
• Zuru State Constituency, Kebbi: Rabiu Garba Aiki (APC) – 4,887 votes

With five results already declared, the APC has captured four seats, reinforcing its presence in the National Assembly and state legislature, while the PDP maintained its hold on Rivers South-East. Political stakeholders are now focused on the pending Nasarawa North result, which will complete the nationwide by-election exercise.

INEC By-Elections: APC Sweeps Four States, PDP Holds Rivers South-East Seat

Ekiti Election: Aisha Yesufu Blasts EFCC, Calls for Decriminalisation of Vote Buying

Rights activist and chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has sparked a heated debate after she blasted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged vote-buying during Saturday’s Ekiti State governorship election, arguing that the practice should be decriminalised in Nigeria. Reacting to widespread reports of voter inducement in the election, Yesufu took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her frustration with the inability of authorities to curb the menace. She argued that law-abiding citizens are the ones who end up being punished while perpetrators buy votes and “waltz their way into office”. “At this rate, vote buying should be decriminalized in Nigeria. It does not make sense since it is those who are law abiding that gets punished for it!” she wrote. “They do not do the vote buying and they are schemed out while others buy votes and waltz their way into office. @officialEFCC ‘s eagle is blindfolded during election”. The activist also made a sarcastic suggestion, proposing that politicians abandon expensive campaigns and simply wait for Election Day to bargain with voters. “Instead of candidates wasting money on campaigns, let everyone wait for Election Day and bargain. The highest bidder wins and you save your money. This nonsense needs to stop,” she added.

Yesufu’s comments came amid a wave of allegations of electoral malpractice in the Ekiti governorship election, which featured 1,059,360 registered voters across 2,445 polling units. Reports from Aramoko Ekiti, the hometown of the mother of incumbent governor and APC candidate Biodun Oyebanji, suggested that multiple voters openly admitted to receiving cash to influence their choices. According to reports, some voters claimed they received ₦10,000 from agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and ₦2,000 from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). At Polling Unit 004, Chief Ologbodo’s House in Aramoko, party agents were allegedly seen approaching voters with cash offers openly. The ADC governorship candidate, Dare Bejide, also alleged vote-buying and cash distribution at his polling unit, while police and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly declined immediate response. Bejide claimed that some APC chieftains and supporters stormed the area with cash and political thugs, creating tension at the polling centre, and that his driver was assaulted and sustained injuries during the commotion.

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In a dramatic turn of events, operatives of the EFCC were reportedly chased away by angry voters at Polling Unit 10, Ward B, in Iyin-Ekiti. The anti-graft team arrived to crack down on suspected vote-buying but met stiff resistance from the crowd, with voters confronting the officials and demanding their immediate departure. Insisting there was no evidence of financial malpractice at their station, the confrontational voters successfully forced the operatives to leave the scene. Earlier in the day, a separate team of about ten anti-graft officials had also stormed Governor Oyebanji’s personal polling unit, Polling Unit 003 in Ikogosi, Ekiti West Local Government Area, to monitor the environment just after voting commenced, though no arrests were made.

Despite the allegations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election. The Returning Officer announced that Oyebanji secured a total of 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rivals: Oluwole Oluyede of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 40,543 votes, and Dare Bejide of the ADC with 12,872 votes. A total of 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, while 375,777 valid votes were recorded, with 6,332 votes rejected. The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has called on INEC and security agencies to immediately investigate allegations of vote-buying, pre-thumbprinted ballot papers, and the suspected distribution of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during the election. The group expressed particular concern over reports and videos circulating on social media suggesting attempts to compromise the integrity of the election. “Silence or inaction by relevant authorities, especially INEC, could further erode public trust in Nigeria’s democracy,” the group said.

Ekiti Election: Aisha Yesufu Blasts EFCC, Calls for Decriminalisation of Vote Buying