The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has threatened a 5 billion naira defamation lawsuit against his former ally and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo.
The legal action stems from public statements made by Okonkwo during a recent broadcast on Channels TV's Sunrise Daily.
The Allegations
During the live television appearance, Okonkwo accused Obi and the South-East caucus leaders of the NDC of extortion and financial misconduct. Specifically, he claimed that the political leadership required House of Representatives aspirants to pay a 10 million naira bribe following their standard expression of interest fees.
Okonkwo further asserted that documentary evidence and receipts verified these transactions, while alleging that Obi personally compiled the party’s candidate list from a hotel room, traveled abroad to solicit illicit funds, and engaged in criminal conspiracy.
The Legal Response
A pre-action letter dated June 9, 2026, issued by Obi’s lead counsel, Chief Alex Ejesieme, SAN, of Alex Ejesieme (SAN) & Co. (Madiba Chambers), categorically denied all accusations. The legal team characterized the statements as entirely fabricated, malicious, and designed to damage Obi’s public standing and reputation for integrity.
The document emphasizes that while freedom of expression is protected, it does not permit the reckless destruction of personal character, particularly given how quickly the broadcast was amplified across digital and social media networks.
Demands Matrix
Obi’s legal team has issued a strict set of conditions to resolve the matter before formal court proceedings escalate.
| Requirement | Details |
| Retraction | Immediate and total withdrawal of all defamatory statements. |
| Public Apology | A clear, unreserved apology published with equal prominence to the original broadcast. |
| Platform Coverage | Publication across Okonkwo's major social media channels, including X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. |
| Legal Undertaking | A signed written commitment to cease publishing further defamatory content against Obi. |
| Financial Settlement | A formal compensation package for damages to Obi's reputation. |
Political Context
This legal dispute follows Okonkwo’s recent exit from the Labour Party and subsequent alignment with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Okonkwo has publicly voiced his support for the presidential ambition of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has emerged as the ADC flagbearer ahead of the 2027 general elections.