Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has demanded ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology from actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo over alleged defamatory remarks made during a recent television interview.
According to a letter issued by Obi’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Alex Ejesieme, the former Anambra State governor accused Okonkwo of making false and malicious statements that damaged his reputation and public image. The legal notice reportedly followed comments made by Okonkwo during an appearance on a live television programme, where he alleged that Obi and some leaders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress were involved in the collection of funds from party aspirants.
Obi’s lawyers described the allegations as baseless, reckless, and entirely unsupported by facts. They argued that the statements portrayed their client as someone engaged in bribery, fraud, extortion, and other forms of criminal conduct.
The legal team consequently demanded that Okonkwo issue an unreserved public apology, retract the statements across media platforms where they were published, and pay the sum of ₦5 billion as compensation for the alleged damage to Obi’s hard-earned reputation.
The letter further warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would leave Obi with no option but to pursue legal action in court.
In response, Okonkwo reportedly dismissed the claims against him, maintaining that he stood by his earlier allegations. The development has intensified the public fallout between the two politicians, who were once regarded as political allies.
Political observers say the dispute could further shape public discourse ahead of future electoral activities, especially as both figures remain influential voices within Nigeria’s political landscape.
As of the time of this report, the matter remains unresolved, with many awaiting the next legal steps that could determine the outcome of the high-profile defamation dispute.
The demand was contained in a letter dated June 9, 2026, in which Obi’s legal representatives sought ₦5 billion in damages and a public apology from Okonkwo over statements they described as defamatory.
