Ex-Anambra governor demands retraction and public apology after claims he extorted ₦10m from NDC aspirants spark backlash

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has issued a ₦5 billion defamation notice against his former ally, Kenneth Okonkwo, over what he describes as false and damaging allegations.

In a pre-action letter signed by his counsel, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), Obi accused Okonkwo of making defamatory remarks during a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

Okonkwo had alleged that Obi, alongside the NDC’s South-East caucus, demanded ₦10 million from House of Representatives aspirants in exchange for party tickets. He further claimed that an Anambra-based aspirant, Obunike Ohaegbu, accused Obi of collecting money before directing aspirants to proceed to party primaries.

However, Ohaegbu has since refuted the claim, denying that he ever accused Obi of demanding or receiving any bribe.

Obi’s legal team described Okonkwo’s statements as “grave, reckless, and defamatory,” arguing that they falsely portray the former Anambra State governor as corrupt and dishonest.

The letter demands an immediate withdrawal of the allegations, along with a public apology to be aired on Channels Television and published across Okonkwo’s social media platforms within seven days.

In addition, Obi is seeking ₦5 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages for the alleged harm to his reputation.

His lawyers warned that failure to comply with these demands would prompt legal action, including claims for damages, retraction, apology, and associated legal costs.