Former presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has demanded ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory statements made during a recent television interview.
The demand was issued through a formal letter dated June 9, 2026, from Obi’s legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Alex Ejesieme.
According to the legal correspondence, Okonkwo allegedly made statements on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, which Obi’s team described as false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation.
The remarks were also said to have been widely circulated across traditional and online media platforms, further amplifying their impact.
Obi’s lawyers argued that the statements portrayed him as being involved in bribery, fraud, and other forms of financial misconduct within the political process.
They described the allegations as baseless and defamatory, insisting they amounted to a direct attack on Obi’s integrity and public standing.
The legal team demanded that Okonkwo retract the statements within seven days and publish an “unequivocal and unreserved” apology with equal or greater prominence to the original claims.
They also demanded payment of ₦5 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages for reputational harm allegedly caused by the statements.
In addition, Obi’s lawyers requested a written undertaking from Okonkwo to cease further publication of any allegedly defamatory remarks against their client.
The letter warned that failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe would lead to legal action, including claims for damages and injunctive reliefs.
Okonkwo, reacting in a post on his X handle, dismissed the demand and said he had not yet reviewed the letter in detail.
He further stated that he would respond formally after going through the contents, while also challenging Obi to pursue the matter in court.
The exchange adds to a growing list of political and legal disputes involving public figures in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
Observers note that defamation claims of this nature have become increasingly common in politically charged environments, especially during election cycles and post-election realignments.
Legal analysts say such cases often hinge on whether the statements in question can be proven as factual assertions or protected political commentary.
The situation between both figures is expected to develop further if either party proceeds with formal court filings in the coming days.
For now, the dispute remains at the pre-litigation stage, with both sides maintaining firm and opposing positions on the allegations.