Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, demanding a retraction of alleged defamatory statements and a public apology, alongside a N5bn damages demand for alleged harm to his reputation.
Obi made the demand through his lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, SAN, in a formal letter titled “Demand for Immediate Withdrawal of False, Malicious and Defamatory Publications Against Mr. Peter Obi, Public Apology and Undertaking.” The letter was issued on behalf of the former Anambra State governor.
According to the letter, the dispute stems from remarks allegedly made by Okonkwo during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026. The statements were later circulated across television and social media platforms. The legal team claimed that Okonkwo accused Obi and leaders of the NDC in the South-East of demanding a N10 million payment from House of Representatives aspirants in addition to official nomination fees.
It was further alleged that Okonkwo stated that Obi personally compiled the party’s candidate list from a hotel room, warned aspirants that Obi would scam them, and accused him of collecting money from individuals abroad. He also allegedly linked Obi and party leaders to criminal conduct.
Obi’s lawyers described the statements as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless and defamatory,” insisting they portrayed him as a fraudster, extortionist, and individual involved in 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; and who, in concert with others, is engaged in criminal conspiracy and actively perpetuating criminality,” the letter stated. The legal team maintained that while freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed, it does not extend to making false allegations that damage another person’s reputation.
The N5bn damages demand is part of a broader set of conditions issued by Obi, which includes a requirement that Okonkwo retract the statements in full within seven days of receiving the letter.
He also demanded an unequivocal public apology and that the retraction be published across all platforms where the alleged statements were made, including television and social media. Obi further insisted that the apology must receive equal or greater prominence than the original publication and that Okonkwo must provide a written undertaking to desist from making further defamatory remarks.
The former presidential candidate warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe would lead to legal action. According to the letter, Obi would pursue claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retraction, and recovery of full litigation costs.
“Should you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with the above demands within the stipulated period, our client shall be left with no option than to seek legal redress against you without further recourse,” the letter stated. The development adds a legal dimension to ongoing political tensions surrounding public commentary and party-related allegations in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
