Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo, demanding the withdrawal of what he described as false, malicious, and defamatory statements made against him.
Through his legal counsel, Alex Ejesieme (SAN), Obi is also seeking a public apology and N5 billion in damages for the alleged harm caused to his reputation.
The demands were outlined in a letter titled, “Demand for Immediate Withdrawal of False, Malicious and Defamatory Publications Against Mr. Peter Obi, Public Apology and Undertaking,” issued on behalf of the former Anambra State governor.
According to the letter, Obi’s legal team objected to comments allegedly made by Okonkwo during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026. The remarks were subsequently circulated across both traditional and social media platforms.
The lawyers alleged that Okonkwo claimed Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East required House of Representatives aspirants to pay N10 million in addition to the party’s official nomination fees. They further stated that Okonkwo accused Obi of personally compiling the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room, warned aspirants that Obi would defraud them, alleged that he collected money from individuals abroad, and linked him and other party leaders to criminal activities.
Obi’s legal representatives described the allegations as false, baseless, reckless, malicious, and defamatory, arguing that they portrayed their client as an extortionist, fraudster, and participant in criminal conduct.
The letter maintained that the statements falsely suggested Obi was involved in bribery, extortion, fraudulent practices, and criminal conspiracy, assertions the legal team insisted have no factual foundation.
According to the lawyers, the allegations were deliberately aimed at damaging Obi’s reputation and undermining his standing in the public eye. They stressed that while freedom of expression is a constitutional right, it does not protect the publication of false claims that accuse another person of criminality, fraud, or dishonesty.
As part of the demands, Obi directed Okonkwo to withdraw the statements in full within seven days of receiving the letter, issue an unreserved public apology, and ensure the retraction is published through the same channels used to disseminate the allegations, including television broadcasts and social media platforms.
The former presidential candidate further requested that the apology be given equal or greater prominence than the original statements and that Okonkwo provide a written commitment not to make any further defamatory remarks about him.
In addition to the retraction and apology, Obi is seeking N5 billion in general, aggravated, and exemplary damages.
The letter warned that failure to meet the demands within the stipulated period would result in legal action, including claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retractions, and recovery of litigation costs.
Obi’s legal team stated that if Okonkwo fails, refuses, or neglects to comply with the demands within seven days, their client will proceed to seek legal redress through the courts without further notice.