Politics
Peter Obi Demands Retraction, N5bn Damages Over Alleged Defamatory Remarks by Kenneth Okonkwo
By Favour Bibaikefie
ABUJA — Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has demanded the immediate withdrawal of what he described as false, malicious, and defamatory statements allegedly made against him by actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo during a live television broadcast.
The demand was conveyed through a legal letter dated June 9, 2026, issued by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) of Alex Ejesieme (SAN) & Co., who stated that he was acting on the instructions of Obi.
According to the letter, Obi’s legal team took exception to comments allegedly made by Okonkwo during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026, and subsequently circulated by various media outlets and social media platforms.
The lawyers alleged that Okonkwo claimed that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East demanded a bribe of N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants in addition to official party fees. The letter further stated that Okonkwo allegedly asserted that documentary evidence existed to support the claim and that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room.
Other statements challenged by Obi’s legal team include allegations that he was “going to scam” party aspirants, that he “travels abroad to collect money from people,” and that he and South-East NDC leaders were “perpetuating criminality.”
Describing the statements as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact,” the legal team argued that the allegations portrayed Obi as a person who “demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes,” and who engages in extortion, fraud and criminal conspiracy.
“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, 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.
The lawyers maintained that the remarks went beyond legitimate political criticism and amounted to a direct attack on Obi’s reputation, integrity and public standing.
“It is particularly disturbing that the said statements were made by you on live television and were thereafter republished, broadcast and widely circulated through online and social media platforms,” the letter added.
Citing constitutional and legal protections of reputation, the legal practitioners argued that freedom of expression does not extend to the publication of false statements that impute criminal conduct to another person.
“The right to freedom of expression does not extend to the reckless destruction of another person’s reputation,” the letter stated.
Consequently, Obi’s legal team issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding that Okonkwo:
- Withdraw the allegedly defamatory statements in their entirety;
- Publish an “unequivocal and unreserved public apology” to Peter Obi;
- Ensure that the apology receives the same or greater prominence as the original publication;
- Publish the apology across all platforms through which the statements were disseminated; and
- Provide a written undertaking to refrain from making similar statements in the future.
The lawyers also demanded the payment of N5 billion as general, aggravated and exemplary damages for the alleged injury to Obi’s reputation.
“Pay to our Client… the sum of Five Billion Naira (N5,000,000,000.00) only, as general, aggravated and exemplary damages,” the letter stated.
The legal team warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would leave their client with “no option than to seek legal redress” through the courts, including claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retraction, apology and legal costs.
As of the time of filing this report, Kenneth Okonkwo had not publicly responded to the allegations and demands contained in the letter.
The matter remains subject to legal proceedings, and all allegations contained in the correspondence represent the claims of the parties involved.
By Favour Bibaikefie
The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headed by Tanimu Turaki has rejected reports suggesting disagreements with its 2027 election candidates over the submission of nomination forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement issued by the faction’s leadership, the group described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that its governorship, National Assembly and state assembly candidates remain united and fully support the party’s leadership.
The faction explained that its candidates were duly nominated through internal party procedures and expressed confidence that the process complied with relevant electoral guidelines. It also maintained that there was no conflict between the party leadership and candidates regarding access to INEC’s nomination portal or the submission of candidates’ details.
According to the group, attempts to portray internal disagreements are part of efforts to create confusion and undermine its preparations for the 2027 general elections. It urged party members and supporters to disregard what it called unfounded speculation.
The Turaki-led camp reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing all lawful and constitutional measures to protect what it described as the mandate of its candidates. It added that the party remains focused on strengthening its structures and preparing for the upcoming elections despite the ongoing leadership dispute within the PDP.
By Rukevwe Odeh
A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 7, 2026, to hear all pending applications and the substantive suit filed by the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise the party’s interim National Working Committee led by Kabir Turaki.
The hearing date was set by Justice Salim Ibrahim after lawyers representing the parties agreed to exchange all outstanding court documents before the next sitting. The court directed that every process must be filed and served on or before July 6, warning that no further delays would be accepted.
In the suit, the PDP BoT is asking the court to compel INEC to update its official records to reflect the Turaki-led interim leadership ahead of preparations for the 2027 general elections. The plaintiffs argue that the electoral commission is legally obligated to comply with previous court decisions, which they claim nullified the party’s 2025 national convention and upheld the suspension of certain party officials.
The outcome of the case is expected to play a significant role in determining which leadership structure INEC officially recognises as the PDP continues efforts to resolve its internal leadership dispute before the next general election.
By Favour Bibaikefie
Political tensions are escalating across Nigeria as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the process for political parties to upload the names of their candidates for the 2027 general elections.
The development has sparked renewed leadership disputes, protests, and legal battles within several political parties, with rival groups competing for control of candidate nominations ahead of the submission deadline.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains at the center of the crisis. The faction currently recognized by INEC confirmed that it has received the commission’s access code and has already started uploading its list of candidates. Party officials expressed confidence that the exercise would be completed before the deadline.
However, the opposing faction insists it has not been granted access to the portal. It maintains that ongoing court proceedings will eventually determine the legitimate leadership of the party before the nomination process is concluded. The disagreement stems from a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the party’s previous national convention, leaving the PDP with parallel leadership structures. INEC has maintained that it will only recognize the faction backed by the courts.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is also facing internal disagreements in some states. In Ondo State, groups of women and youths staged protests, alleging that the candidate list released after the party’s primaries did not reflect the actual outcome of the elections. The protesters accused some party leaders of attempting to impose candidates and demanded that the original results be respected.
Meanwhile, another faction within the APC defended the party’s leadership, arguing that reviewing the primary election results was necessary to address irregularities identified during the process.
Across the country, several political parties have confirmed receiving INEC’s access credentials and have begun uploading their candidates. Nevertheless, unresolved court cases and internal disputes continue to create uncertainty for some aspirants.
Smaller opposition parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are also dealing with legal and administrative challenges as they work toward participating fully in the 2027 elections.
Political observers believe the candidate nomination exercise could trigger additional court cases and deepen internal divisions within parties before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.
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