Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has demanded ₦5 billion in damages from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements made during a television interview.
The demand was contained in a legal letter dated June 9, 2026, and signed by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN), who is acting on behalf of the former presidential candidate.
Allegations Made During Television Interview
According to the letter, the dispute stems from comments allegedly made by Kenneth Okonkwo during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8.
Obi’s legal team claimed that Okonkwo alleged that Obi and leaders of the NDC in the South-East demanded ₦10 million from aspirants seeking House of Representatives tickets after payment of the party’s official expression of interest fees.
The letter further alleged that Okonkwo claimed there was documentary evidence of the payments, including receipts.
Additional Claims Challenged by Obi
The legal team also accused Okonkwo of making several other statements which they described as damaging and untrue.
According to the letter, Okonkwo allegedly claimed that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room and warned political aspirants that they could be defrauded by the former governor.
The lawyer further alleged that Okonkwo accused Obi of travelling abroad to collect money from certain individuals and suggested that Obi and some South-East NDC leaders were involved in criminal activities.
Obi’s legal representatives strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as false, malicious, reckless, and unsupported by any evidence.
Lawyers Allege Reputational Damage
In the letter, Obi’s lawyers argued that the statements portrayed their client as someone involved in bribery, extortion, fraud, and criminal conspiracy.
They maintained that the comments had the potential to seriously damage Obi’s public image, personal integrity, and political reputation.
According to the legal team, the allegations went beyond legitimate political criticism and amounted to a direct attack on the character of the former presidential candidate.
The lawyers emphasized that freedom of political expression does not extend to the publication of statements they consider defamatory and injurious to reputation.
Demands Issued to Kenneth Okonkwo
As part of the demands outlined in the legal notice, Obi is requesting that Kenneth Okonkwo withdraw the statements within seven days.
He is also seeking a public apology to be published through the same platforms where the alleged comments were circulated, including television broadcasts and social media channels.
In addition, the former presidential candidate is demanding ₦5 billion as general, aggravated, and exemplary damages.
The legal team further requested a written undertaking from Okonkwo that he would refrain from making any further defamatory statements against Obi in the future.
Legal Action Threatened
The letter warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would leave Obi with no alternative but to pursue legal action.
According to the lawyers, such action may include claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retractions, formal apologies, and the recovery of legal costs associated with court proceedings.
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official response from Kenneth Okonkwo regarding the allegations and demands contained in the legal notice.
The development marks the latest chapter in the ongoing political disagreements involving prominent figures within Nigeria’s opposition landscape.