LP Chieftain Calls for Protest Against Peter Obi Over Okonkwo Feud

LP Chieftain Calls for Protest Against Peter Obi Over Okonkwo Feud

A former Chairman of the Labour Party in Enugu State, Barr Casmir Agbo, has called on the people of Enugu North Senatorial District to stage a protest against the legal suit filed against actor-turned-lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi. The call comes ahead of Obi’s planned visit to Nsukka to campaign for the NDC’s senatorial candidate, Bishop Oscar Ossai, in the by-election scheduled for June 20, 2026. Okonkwo, a prominent son of Nsukka, is at the center of a heated public dispute with his former political ally, and Agbo’s demand for protest reflects growing tension within the opposition ranks as the by-election approaches.

In a trending social media post, Agbo condemned Obi’s legal suit against Okonkwo, describing it as a case of “prosecuting the same man who toiled for him during the 2023 election.” He expressed outrage that Obi would take legal action against someone who worked tirelessly for his presidential campaign. “If it were to be in the North or West, our demand today would be to let him know that he is prosecuting our son, Barr Kenneth Okonkwo, who toiled for him,” Agbo stated, adding that he expects a massive protest demanding the immediate withdrawal of the suit. He reminded Obi that Nsukka, through the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), trained him, and that “Kenneth popularly known as Andy Okeke has paid his dues.” This sentiment reflects a broader feeling of betrayal among some LP supporters who view Obi’s legal action as an attack on a loyal party member who sacrificed time, resources, and reputation to support Obi’s presidential ambition.

Agbo, who was the state LP chairman during the 2023 general election, made explosive allegations against Obi, claiming that the NDC presidential candidate actively worked against the LP’s gubernatorial candidate, Barr Chijioke Edeoga, in favor of Governor Peter Mbah, who was then the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to Agbo, “What happened in Enugu State during 2023 general elections are very fresh in our minds. We are blaming some of our people and shouting that they worked against Edeoga during that election, but our greatest enemy in that election was Mr Peter Obi.” He claimed that Obi had wanted another candidate from the outset and when the party endorsed Edeoga, “he pitched his tent with PDP in the state.” Agbo further alleged that Obi made everything possible to deny the LP victory in Enugu State. “Peter Obi never campaigned for LP in Enugu State; even to the extent that he stopped me from reading my address at a point by sending Clement Ojukwu to tell me to stop at a certain point at Okpara Square when I was reading about the failure of PDP in the state,” he claimed. “Secondly, he avoided us like a plague whenever we met at a meeting in Enugu,” Agbo added, painting a picture of a candidate who was distant from the party’s state structure and more aligned with the opposition.

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The legal dispute between Obi and Okonkwo began after Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and a former spokesperson for Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, made explosive allegations during an interview on Channels Television on June 8, 2026. Okonkwo alleged that Obi and other South East leaders of the NDC demanded bribes from House of Representatives and Senatorial aspirants during the party’s primaries, claiming that aspirants were required to pay N10 million and N20 million for tickets, respectively. The allegations sent shockwaves through the political landscape, given Okonkwo’s close association with Obi during the 2023 campaign and his credibility as a former spokesperson.

In response to Okonkwo’s allegations, Obi, through his lawyer Alex Ejesieme (SAN), issued a pre-action notice demanding that Okonkwo retract the statements, issue a public apology, and pay N5 billion in damages. Obi described the allegations as false, malicious, and defamatory, giving Okonkwo a seven-day ultimatum to comply. The demand letter also included Okonkwo’s personal phone number, which was published publicly, a move Okonkwo later described as a data breach and an invasion of privacy. The legal threat has escalated the feud, drawing attention from political observers and party loyalists across the country.

Okonkwo has remained defiant in the face of the legal threats, insisting that he stands by his words. In his formal response dated June 16, 2026, through his lawyer V. I. Uma of Supreme God Chambers, Okonkwo denied defaming Obi and maintained that his comments were based on information received from aggrieved aspirants. He disclosed that one aspirant, Obunike Ohaegbu (alias Nwa Miss), had approached him for assistance in recovering N10 million allegedly paid during the nomination process, describing it as a “scam orchestrated by your Client, Mr Peter Obi.” Okonkwo argued that he was within his rights as a lawyer, politician, and public affairs analyst to raise concerns about the complaints, and he challenged Obi to face him in court rather than resorting to legal intimidation.

However, the House of Representatives aspirant, Obunike Ohaegbu, who appeared on the same Channels TV program, stated that he never made such statements to Okonkwo. Ohaegbu clarified that “Peter Obi never told me to pay N10 million. I never told Kenneth Okonkwo that Peter Obi, in any way, told me to pay N10 million.” He further said he never accused the NDC South-east caucus of bribery. This contradiction has further complicated the dispute and raised questions about the veracity of Okonkwo’s claims, potentially undermining his credibility in the eyes of the public.

Okonkwo has a history of public disputes with Obi. In July 2024, he resigned from the Labour Party, accusing Obi of lacking the capacity to protect the mandate given to him by Nigerian voters. At the time, Agbo, then LP chairman in Enugu State, dismissed Okonkwo as “an actor” who “has no business in politics,” adding that he was “not known in his local government as a strong LP member.” Agbo suggested that Okonkwo’s resignation was motivated by personal grievances, which may have included frustration with the party’s leadership and internal dynamics. This history suggests a long-standing pattern of friction between the two figures.

Peter Obi has vowed to proceed with the defamation lawsuit against Okonkwo. During an interview on Nevon Media, Obi stated: “The issue of taking Kenneth Okonkwo to court wouldn’t have arisen if he had stopped at those allegations. But he claimed he still has more he would expose about me in the future.” Obi added that he is “very happy to take him to court so that he can expose me publicly, alongside other Nigerians.” This indicates that the legal battle is likely to continue, further deepening the rift between the former allies and potentially affecting the political landscape in the South East.

The current dispute unfolds against the backdrop of the Enugu North Senatorial by-election scheduled for June 20, 2026. The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Okey Ezea in November 2025. Ezea was a political ally of Obi and a member of the LP. The NDC has fielded Bishop Oscar Ossai Okwudili Elias as its candidate, with Obi expected to lead the campaign in Nsukka. The late Ezea’s support group has backed Ossai, calling on voters to elect a candidate who can continue the late senator’s legacy. However, political analysts suggest that the APC candidate, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, may have the edge in the contest due to the support of Governor Peter Mbah and former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The by-election is expected to be fiercely contested, with Agbo’s call for protest adding a further layer of political drama.

LP Chieftain Calls for Protest Against Peter Obi Over Okonkwo Feud